AMERIQUE:

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR: It is the unspoken statistic, but it is as real as anything to do with the lingering U.S. war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the military, 1,800 American servicemen have killed themselves since the initial invasion of Baghdad. That is in addition to the more than 4,000 who died in battle. This week, families of the soldiers who committed suicide asked President Barack Obama to change the government policy of not forwarding letters of appreciation to mothers and fathers of these servicemen. By week's end, the White House had reversed the policy and agreed that such letters are needed, as well... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor of The Tribune

Monday, January 31, 2011

In The World Of Disabled Texans, A Time For Cracking Down On Parking Abusers...

By PATRICK ALCATRAZEditor

AUSTIN, Texas - Beginning tomorrow morning, anyone pulling into a public parking spot designated for the disabled better be disabled. Long a joke to most people who need these spaces, officials here have decided the laugh will now have a new punchline: a $511 fine.

On top of that, Austin is making it a criminal offense.

Until now, those ticketed for violating the law were allowed to merely pay a $278 fine and be done with it. But critics of the old law enforcement practice charged that the police department never made the law a priority, that its officers rarely busted anyone not disabled. That will change today, says Mayor Lee Leffingwell.

The law applies equally to anyone driving or riding a car or motorcycle or bicycle.

In communities elsewhere in Texas, the fine for parking in slots for the disabled can dip to as low as $100 for violators. Many communities do not assign officers the specific duty of eyeballing disabled parking spaces. Additionally, this city will also target those who use fake disabled parking stickers, also making it a criminal offense subject to the hefty fine. Those fines, say officials here, will escalate for second or third offenses, with community service also being an option for judges handing out penalties.

For beginners, Austin says its officers will use the coming weeks to vigorously monitor disabled parking...

I say, have the cars towed away, and them issue a citation. In Harlingen, they had $10.000.000 dollars of uncollected fines. Then they passed an ordinance of towing cars away who had no insurance. But the cops felt sorry for the people and allowed them to go their merry way, and never towed a car away.Mr. Editor, sounds like a feel good ordinance. I hope it works, up in the hill country.

The only way, for some people to learn is by confiscating the vehicles. Some of these lawbreakers deserve no mercy. If they want to be treated like criminals, than so be it. Screwed up people that have no feelings for anyone else, but themselves.

Patrick, Barry McQuire wrote a song called the eve of destruction. I would like to make a request. The conversation at the coffee shop this morning was about the middle East. Hosni Mubarak, has to come to terms and leave Egypt.By the way, it was at Mi Rancho, in Harlingen, the food was really good. Hey, you guys are posting great articles, keep up the good work, and enjoy the sights, the pictures are really good.

Confession from me. I parked in a disabled spot this past weekend, but I felt like Hell while i was in the store. Made mefeel stupid. Good story. Hope everybody leaves those places for people who need them.

Anon, don't feel guilty, just don't do it again. I couldn't imagine being disabled, and then having to walk.Great song, I was in the military when, Credence Clear Water, The Buffalo Springfield, crosby still, nash and young, Barry McGuire, and Scott Mckinsey were pumping out protest songs. That is so through, it was good music that kepted some of us sane.

Unreliable Blogger...

As with most small minds,Tony Chapa, shown in photo above, cannot come to terms with reality. He again insists that The Tribune has closed shop. We're merely on break... - Editor

Longhorn Network Debuts...

Looking forward to catching the Texas Longhorns on TV this coming football season. Well, you'll need access to the Longhorn Network. It launches Aug. 26, just eight days before UT takes on Rice... - The Tribune

The Killer In Me...

A suspect, Miguel Angel Trejo, 35, of Harlingen, has been charged with capital murder and is being held in lieu of a $5 million bond. Trejo stands accused of beating Flavia Araiza to death. The 82-year-old woman's lifeless body was found in her home Saturday morning... - The Tribune

Happy 4th Of July...

It'll be a calmer celebration in Austin, as fear of grass fires have denied the city a fireworks display. But it's still a cause for celebration in the area, from the backyard BBQs to the tubing down the Comal River to the gatherings at Austin's Zilker Park... - The Tribune

McAllen Arms Itself...

There is no surge yet, but the City of McAllen apparently is readying itself for something or another. With 11 gun ports, a rotating turret and room for 10 officers, this modified Ford F-550 is now in the hands of city police. Cash and other assets seized during police operations will cover the emergency service unit’s $150,000 price tag... - The Tribune

Bachmann Declares...

Known for nothing of consequence during her years in Congress, Republican U.S. Rep Michele Bachmann of Minnesota nonetheless announced plans to run for the White House today in Waterloo, Iowa. She joins a small pack of other GOP hopefuls staring at the 2012 presidential contest... - The Tribune

The Price Of Gasoline...

So, you're thinking of hitting the long, lonesome highway? It's a good time to do it. Gasoline prices are falling fast. In the past 7 weeks, the average U.S. retail prices has dropped 38 cents to $3.60 per gallon. Another 25-cent drop is expected by mid-July... - The Tribune

Columbo Dead...

One last question. See, I can't quite figure this one out. Sadly, Peter Falk, the stage and movie actor who became identified as the squinty, rumpled detective in "Columbo," which spanned 30 years in prime-time television, has died. Falk was 83... - The Tribune

That Federal Oil Reserve...

Much is being made about President Obama's decision to release 30 million barrels of oil from the country's reserve. It's been done before, by George Bush during Desert Storm (early 1990s, Iraq invasion I) and later by his party boy son, George W., during slow Hurricane Katrina recovery effort. Even with this latest release, the country still has 697 million barrels in its reserves... - The Tribune

Ah, Southwest...

Now comes an unnamed pilot for Southwest Airlines with his moment of fame. Not only did he bitch about flight attendants not wanting to go to bed with him, but, in a two-and-a-half minute, mid-flight rant, this moron was heard complaining that many of his co-workers were gay or too old or too heavy. Sometimes using profanity and slurs, he called them "a continuous stream of gays and grannies and grandes."... - The Tribune

Brownsville Attorney Busted...

The serpentine saga involving the bribery case against former 404th District Court Judge Abel Limas has landed another fish. A federal grand jury weighed evidence and then indicted Brownsville attorney Ray Roman Marchan on charges of racketeering, conspiracy to commit racketeering, aiding and abetting extortion and wire fraud... - The Tribune

Gingrich's Family Jewels...

More bad news from the Gingrich train wreck. Reports have it that the shifty Georgia Republican actually had two revolving accounts with primo jeweler Tiffany & Co. of New York, one for $500,000 and a second one for $1 million. Some conservative... - The Tribune

Huntsman Declares In Joisy...

Then came the second Mormon. Jon M. Huntsman Jr. officially launched his White House bid in New Jersey this morning, setting up a campaign for the GOP nomination that, if successful, would lead to a matchup against his former boss, President Obama. Huntsman, former governor of Utah, most-recently served as ambassador to China under Obama.. - The Tribune

Nutty Republican Agonizes...

"There is substantial evidence that some of these fires are caused by people who have crossed our border illegally," Republican U.S. Sen. John McCain said at a press conference after touring sites of wildfires in Arizona. McCain later clarified the statement, saying he was referring to a history of strange fires along the Arizona-Mexico border... - The Tribune

Virginia's Racist Ways...

The game will be changed as needed, seems to be the guideline at play. Half a century after many Virginia public schools shut their doors rather than accept black students, the state is offering college scholarships to compensate those whose education suffered in the era of "massive resistance" to desegregation. Among the recipients: white students... - The Tribune

Topless OK in NYC...

A New York woman drew attention yesterday when she stepped out topless in 100-plus degree heat. City cops stopped her, but did nothing. This is how NYC courts explain that freedom: "The state's highest court established long ago that women have the same right as men to appear topless in public. Absent a link to some commercial enterprise or promotion, the woman's lack of certain attire in this instance does not appear to be a police matter."... - The Tribune

Mexican Oil Targeted...

Imagine the loss of 100 tanker trucks full of petroleum a day. Thieves have ripped off thousands of barrels of oil products from PEMEX, Mexico's state-owned oil company, in the first four months of 2011, thefts worth about $250 million, the company's director said yesterday... - The Tribune

Republican Deadbeats...

Financial reports indicate many of the firebrand class of Republican freshmen on Capitol Hill - elected on a pledge to attack the U.S. debt problem - have, in some cases, accumulated tens of thousands of dollars in personal debt. Credit cards and mortgages are the problem for these Republicans, some carrying credit card debt as high as $25,000... - The Tribune

Bikes For Fat Brownsville...

It is a city known for a large number of battered cars and uninsured drivers behind the wheel. Now, the city at the end of the Rio Grande wants more bike riders in town. Brownsville City Commissioner Rose Gowen ses another benefit for the hardscrabble bordertown: Riding bicycles may just help that whopping 80 percent of the population that is overweight or obese... - The Tribune

Debate, No Debate...

Monday night's debate by GOP presidential hopefuls proved to be a Meet The Candidates show. CNN's coverage yielded little sparring, as Republicans went nice and played goody-goody with each other... - The Tribune

Big D Wins Big One...

Miami melted at the foul line and at the end, losing Game 6 of the NBA Championship Finals to Dallas, 105-95. Mavericks guard Jason Terry led the way... - The Tribune

Ah, That Crazy Palin...

Republican pest Sarah Palin, the one who resigned the governor's office in Alaska, now comes across as a woman who angled herself into the Veep nomination in 2008. A truckload of Emails from her brief days as governor released yesterday show she wanted the job. Shoved aside for the moment is the memory of the post-defeat blame game that followed the McCain-Palin losing campaign... - The Tribune

Big D Celebrates...

Miami struggled in last night's Game 5 of the NBA championship series, losing 112-103 to go down 3 games to 2. The series shifts to Miami for games 6 and 7... - The Tribune

Sleepless In Alabama...

Alabama's governor has signed what he billed as tough illegal immigration legislation, requiring police to check the status of anyone they suspect may be in the country illegally when stopped for another reason. The law is set to take effect Sept. 1, but, as with Arizona's version, likely will be ruled unconstitutional in court... - The Tribune

Game 5 Tonight...

It's tied at two apiece as Miami goes for the jugular in Big D tonight. Dallas Mavericks need a win in best-of-seven NBA championship series. It goes back to Miami for the last two games... - The Tribune

Perry's Prayer Bash...

He's invited the nation's governors to join him in praying for something or another, but some notables have said, "No, thanks." Gov. Rick Perry’s call for prayer and fasting on Aug. 6 at an event called The Response in Houston will not be attended by Republican governors Nathan Deal, Georgia; Rick Snyder, Michigan; Mitch Daniels, Indiana... - The Tribune

GOP Gov Axes Photo...

Loopy Republican Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin has rid the state's mansion of this mural-sized photograph titled "Wishes In The Wind," replacing it with a painting honoring the 150th anniversary of the Civil War. The governor has decided to place artifacts and paintings from that era throughout the first floor of the governor's mansion... - The Tribune

Weiner Admits Sexting...

U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-New York, today admitted he forwarded racy photos of himself to a female college student in Seattle. Rumors had dogged the married congressman for a week. He, however, said he has no plans to resign his office... - The Tribune

The GOP's Longshot...

Former Godfather’s Pizza CEO and Georgia radio personality Herman Cain laid out policy positions and called for "common-sense solutions" in a keynote speech Saturday before a group of conservative activists. Oddsmakers give Cain no chance at winning the presidency...- The Tribune

Matt Dillon Dies...

James Arness, the actor whose role as Sheriff Matt Dillon on the record-breaking TV series Gunsmoke defined the 1960s, died Friday. The 6-foot-6 star was best known as saloon-keeper Miss Kitty's lover during the heyday of the television western. Arness was 88... - The Tribune

John Edwards Indicted...

It's been coming for the last few months. Criminal charges were filed today in North Carolina against John Edwards, the culmination of a two-year federal investigation into money used to cover up his extramarital affair during the 2008 presidential election... - The Tribune

American Gothic...

Travel I-35 north across Kansas and be treated to a string of old and new barns. Get to Nebraska and its those endless amber fields of grain. Worth the trip... - The Tribune

No Gaga In Yuma...

Former big league outfielder Jose Canseco invited her personally, but Lady Gaga was a no show at last night's Yuma Scorpions game. Canseco's team lost the Memorial Day nightgame, dropping the contest to the Chico Outlaws, 8-4. A Gaga lookalike contest yielded only one contestant, a woman dressed in heavy eyeliner and a wedding dress.... - The Tribune

Gaga Baseball...

Think the brand of baseball played by the North American Baseball League is a bit silly? Well, yeah. In Arizona, the lowly Yuma Scorpions managed by disgraced major leaguer Jose Canseco are holding Lady Gaga Night today. She won't be there, but impersonators will be rewarded. Said Mgr. Canseco, without laughing: "I love Lady Gaga. Wish I could meet her. Would marry her in a second." Oh, yeah, the winner of the costume contest gets to have dinner with Jose and Ozzie Canseco... - The Tribune

Lawmakers Approve Budget...

The Texas House & Senate passed their versions of the 2012-2013 state budget. Both chambers agreed on a $172.5 billion budget, which represents a $15 billion cut in educational programs and public services. In blaming the Republican majority, State Sen. Wendy Davis, a Democrat from Fort Worth, said: "This budget kicks the can of public education and health care funding down the road, with deferrals of current obligations totaling $7.1 billion that will need to be backfilled in the next budget cycle. This is not responsible governance."... - The Tribune

Teen Sexting Law...

Texas Lawmakers have sent the governor a bill that says teens caught sexting face Class C misdemeanor charges punishable by a $500 fine. The bill, however, allows for a defense for kids who receive the sexually-explicit images and delete them without sending them to anyone else... - The Tribune

Secessionist Seeks GOP Nod...

Laughable as it sounds, Rick Perry has signaled he may seek the U.S. Presidency. "I'm going to think about it," Perry said today. "I think about a lot of things."... - The Tribune

Republican Catfight...

It's on. Minnesota Republican Congresswoman Michele Bachman wants Sarah Palin. Asked if Palin's decision to run for president would have any bearing on hers, Bachmann said she was acting "independent of what any other candidate decides, no matter which candidate gets in and which candidate gets out."... - The Tribune

Guns To Work Okayed...

Got a registered gun and want to take it to work? Texas lawmakers say you should be able to do that. Their guns-in-parking-lot law is headed for the governor's signature after it was approved today. Critics questioned why the state should be allowed to tell companies whether to allow guns on their property... - The Tribune

Reeling In Loan Sharks...

Lawmakers in the Texas House and Senate have agreed on a measure adding regulations to monitor so-called payday lenders. House Bills 2592 and 2594 require payday storefronts to register with the state and disclose their fees for arranging short-term loans for consumers. The governor is expected to sign the legislation into law... - The Tribune

Newt's Glitter Dulls...

Republican Newt Gingrich can't rid himself of a jewelry store hubbub. It's not just any jewelry store; it's high-dollar Tiffany & Co. of New York. And what fiscally-conservative Newt battles is a $500,000 debt he owes the company... - The Tribune

Redistricting To Courts...

Texas lawmakers have drafted plans for the House and Senate's new redistricting maps. But they have not bothered with districts for the U.S. Congress. Rick Perry is livid, but it looks like the Legislature is leaving that one to the courts... - The Tribune

Mentally Incompetent...

Jared Lee Loughner, the neo-Nazi accused of wounding U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and killing six others last January 8th in Arizona is mentally incompetent to stand trial, a judge ruled today. U.S. Marshals dragged the 21-year-old Loughner out of the courtroom after he blasted the proceedings... - The Tribune

Texas Spanked By Feds...

Don't like being patted-down at the airport? Well, Texas lawmakers tried to help you, but it won't happen. A bill that would prohibit "intrusive touching" at security checkpoints at airports and other public buildings was derailed last night in the Texas Senate, after federal officials threatened to possibly close airports if the measure became law... - The Tribune

Perry's Pet Law...

Senate Democrats are pledging to run out the clock on consideration of Rick Perry's sanctuary city ban. If Democrats are successful until Wednesday at midnight, the sanctuary city bill is effectively dead. That bill would guarantee local law enforcement the right to check immigration status of people they pull over or question... - The Tribune

Like A Rolling Stone...

The folk singer celebrates his 70th birthday today. Chronicler of the real side of life and love... - The Tribune

Quick Deportation...

Housing thousands of foreigners in state prisons saps millions from the state's annual budget. Now, the Texas Senate has unanimously approved a bill that would allow the state to lock up foreign-citizen felons and deport them in a timely manner... - The Tribune

Rural Speed Limit Hiked...

Legislation allowing 75 mph speed limits in rural areas, and doing away with day-night speed limit differentials, unanimously passed the Senate this afternoon. The Senate passed a version of House Bill 1353 identical to what emerged from the House, so the bill is headed to the governor for his signature... - The Tribune

Ethics Case Continued...

The ethics violation case against Harlingen City Commissioner Kori Marra scheduled to begin today has been postponed. No word given as to when it will be heard. Marra remains free on bond...The Tribune

GOP At The Trough...

Former Republican President George W. Bush has made good on his pledge to replenish the ol' coffers, raking in a whopping $15 million in speaking fees since leaving office, according to the Center for Public Integrity... - The Tribune

Not Happening...

It's now more than 18 hours since the designated time for the world's end. Doomsday Freak Harold Camping's prediction flops. Dallas Mavs and Oklahoma City Thunder tip-off at 8 p.m... - The Tribune

Guns Bill Looking Bleak...

Things look bad for the guns-on-campus bill. Time may be its worst enemy as the Texas Legislature has only next week to wrap-up its session. The bill would allow concealed handguns in campus buildings. Lengthy debate expected on the unresolved state budget will headline next week's action... - The Tribune

Obama's Middle East Speech...

President Barack Obama has come out strongly in support of the democratic uprisings in the Middle East. About the continuing strife between Israel and Palestine, Obama said: "The Palestinian people must have the right to govern themselves, and reach their potential, in a sovereign and contiguous state. As for security, every state has the right to self-defense, and Israel must be able to defend itself - by itself - against any threat."... - The Tribune

Scratch-Off For Vets...

The Texas Lottery Commission has rolled-out a new scratch-off game featuring John Wayne in military garb. State earnings from the game reportedly will go to veteran assistance programs... - The Tribune

Arnold's Maid Surfaces...

Mildred Patricia Baena, 50, has been identified as the mother of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s love child. Known as Patty, she worked as his housekeeper for 20 years... - The Tribune

Harmon Killebrew Dead...

Harmon "Killer" Killebrew, the big-swinging Hall of Famer whose tape-measure home runs made him the cornerstone of the Minnesota Twins and perhaps the most popular player in the team's 51-year history, died today after battling esophageal cancer. He was 74... - The Tribune

Cabeza De Vaca Loses...

McAllen City Commissioner Jim Darling won re-election last night, beating protege Jose Cabeza De Vaca, shown in photo above at left, 703 votes to 644. Darling had earlier appointed De Vaca to the city's Planning & Zoning Commission... - The Tribune

Hard One Fired At Ballteam...

It's been coming for some time, but Harlingen now appears ready to drop the hammer on its local semi-pro baseball team, the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. Writes team P.R. Man Jerry Deal on his blog: "It all involves the utilities, well the electric utilities, which are exhorbitant and probably twice as high as in other stadiums in the league. The city gets the bill, then bills the ballclub. The WhiteWings have asked that it take over the utilities directly from the supplier, which then the city would not be involved." Deal does not say how much the team owes in delinquent billings. Estimates on the streets have it at the $40,000 range... - The Tribune

Big Hit At Cannes Festival...

Border crime gets a kick in the head in a new movie. The upside-down world of Tijuana, where it's impossible to identify a clear line between cops and criminals, is featured in the movie "Miss Bala," which strives for a naturalistic feeling and draws on some recent criminal history. It's a bullet-riddled downhill thrill ride about a would-be beauty queen and a drug lord... - The Tribune

The Republican Affair...

Former Nevada Sen. John Ensign, shown in photo above, apparently felt the need to satisfy himself sexually with a woman who worked in his office. The story is a sordid tale of power. Ensign, who may face an indictment for lying to the Feds about it, employed Debbie Hampton and her husband, Doug. While at it, he demanded sexual favors from her. To cover the mess, Ensign had his parents shuffle a $96,000 check to the Hamptons in hopes that they would keep quiet... - The Tribune

Ohio Worse Than RGV...

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, a Democrat from El Paso, laid into Speaker John Boehner after Boehner said crime along the Mexican border was rampant. Said Reyes, "Boehner should focus on controlling the level of violence in his own state before tarnishing the image of border communities that remain among the safest places to live in America. The fact remains that the six largest cities in Ohio all have higher rates of violence and crime than every major city along the U.S.-Mexico border."... - The Tribune

Adulterer Seeks GOP Nod...

Former spiteful Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich will declare his candidacy for the presidency on Wednesday. The 67-year-old Republican carries baggage that includes abandoning his cancer-stricken wife for another woman he later married. Gingrich had been seeing the woman while his wife battled the terminal disease... - The Tribune

Indian As Birther...

"Piyush Amrit Jindal is the last man in America who should give his blessing to a birther bill," said the editorial in the Baton Rouge Advocate. Piyush is Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal, who last week released a copy of his birth certificate to the press for no reason... - The Tribune

Perry Goes Begging...

He hasn't worked to create hometown jobs, but Republican Texas Gov. Rick Perry is begging California companies to come to the Lone Star State. "When citizens and employers of a state feel overburdened and unappreciated by state leaders and policies, a common response is to relocate," Perry said in a May 3 letter to companies in Vernon, Ca. "If you care about low taxes, a fair and predictable regulatory and legal climate, high-quality workforce, and a great quality of life, Texas is for you." Some leader. More like a panhandler... - The Tribune

The Graceless Republicans...

Legislators who voted Monday against a resolution commending President Barack Obama for the killing of terrorist Osama Bin Laden were Leo Berman of Tyler, Marva Beck of Centerville, Allen Fletcher of Tomball, Dan Flynn of Van, Will Hartnett of Dallas, Dan Huberty of Houston, George Lavender of Texarkana, Barbara Nash of Arlington, Debbie Riddle of Tomball and Randy Weber of Pearland. Those Republicans were joined by 52 other Republicans who supported the resolution, but went on record as not endorsing the president's foreign policies... - The Tribune

Back To The Far Past...

This just in about those unruly kids in school. The Republican-led Texas House will vote on House Bill 359 this Saturday. If passed, it will require parental consent in all school districts where corporal punishment (paddlings) takes place. At present, there are no state regulations. Texas is one of 19 states that allow paddling... - The Tribune

Trouble In Pakistan...

Geo-politics is often predictable. Pakistan's army today ordered a reduction in U.S. military personnel operating inside the country in apparent protest at a unilateral American commando raid that killed Osama bin Laden... - The Tribune

Back In The League...

Disgraced major leaguer Jose Canseco, shown in photo above, has hit Yuma with his usual circus bang. His arrival in the Arizona desert is being seen as a potential boon for the team's always-lagging attendance. But the Yuma Scorpions of the North America Baseball League, which he'll manage, have been a laugh-a-minute outfit. Last year, team officials went weeks without paying players or other obligations around town. Local sportswriters give the team a 50-50 chance of surviving the season... - The Tribune

Live From Death Row...

Cary Kerr, 46, was found guilty of raping and killing mother of four Pamela Horton in 2001. Last night, he became the first man in Texas to be executed with the same sedative commonly used to euthanize pets, pentobarbital... - The Tribune

ICE Agent Honored...

State Sen. Eddie Lucio, a Democrat from Brownsville, introduced a resolution to honor fallen ICE special agent Jaime Jorge Zapata yesterday in the State Senate. Zapata was killed Feb. 15 in an attack in Mexico... - The Tribune

Fish Story...

It begins. Cost over-runs are not rare in construction, but the Bass Pro Shops project is already bringing its outstretched palms back to city officials. According to Bill Martin, head of the Economic Development Corporation, Bass Pro needs an additional $1,019,000 for materials related to the planned store's parking lot. Martin will hit-up the Harlingen City Commission at its meeting tomorrow night... - The Tribune

The Big Story...

Newspapers around the globe chased the killing of Osama Bin Laden with vigor and relish. Next wil come the questions, conspiracy theories and legacy... - The Tribune

Mexico Workers Work...

So, what became of the siesta? According to a report issued by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Mexicans work the most hours in the world, an average of 10 hours a day. Belgians work the least amount of hours - seven... - The Tribune

No Free Press...

The Washington, D.C.-based human rights advocacy organization Freedom House has issued a report damning Mexico's inability to provide a free press. The decline in Mexico's ranking to "not free"' was described as a surprise and attributed to violence related to drug trafficking. Attacks on journalists, self-censorship and a climate of fear were among the results... - The Tribune

Austin Temps Plunge...

A fast-moving cold front brought a bit of the frigid Rocky Mountain winds to Central Texas. National Weather Service officials said the front dropped temperatures into the low 50s last night and into the low 40s this morning... - The Tribune

Gadhafi's Son killed...

The youngest son of Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, shown in photo above, and three of his grandchildren were killed in a NATO airstrike. NATO made the announcement late this afternoon, which was early Sunday in Libya. The elder Gadhafi was not injured... - The Tribune

Idiot Of The Legislature...

State Rep. Leo Berman, a Republican from Tyler shown in photo above, has introduced a Bill that would make English the official language of Texas. The transplanted New York Jew also was behind a birther Bill that went nowhere. Berman is 76 years old, perhaps an age when the brain stops functioning at its optimum... - The Tribune

Alabama Tragedy...

While Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry moaned and groaned about federal aid not coming to the state following a spate of wildfires out west, President Obama today visited tornado-ravaged Alabama, where more than 200 people died. The president has declared a major disaster in Alabama and ordered federal aid to assist with recovery efforts... - The Tribune

The Blowhard...

Despite Donald Trump’s claim this week that he avoided serving in the Vietnam War solely due to a high draft number, Selective Service records show that the purported presidential aspirant actually received a series of student deferments while in college and then topped those off with a medical deferment after graduation that helped spare him from fighting for his country... - The Tribune

No Papers, No License...

The Texas Senate has an idea about just who gets a driver's license in the Lone Star State: citizens. Legslators today passed a proposal requiring every applicant seeking a new, renewed or duplicate driver’s license to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or, if not a citizen, proof that they are in the country legally. The measure now goes to the House for its consideration... - The Tribune

Walmart & Guns...

Five years ago, Walmart stopped selling shotguns and rifles at many stores. Today, a spokesman for the company says that hundreds of stores will get them back. The company owns 3,600 stores in the U.S... - The Tribune

The Minor Leagues...

We ran into this headline written by Sergio Chapa, son of Back-Row Blogger Tony Chapa, on Channel 4's website: "Harlingen police identify supsect in Coakley standoff." Supsect? Spelling is at a premium at ValleyCentral.com. Chapa's boy is shown in photo above... - The Tribune

Do You Know Me?...

For The Birthers...

President Barack Obama has released his long-form birth certificate. "The President believed the distraction over his birth certificate wasn't good for the country. It may have been good politics and good T.V., but it was bad for the American people and distracting from the many challenges we face as a country," White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said this morning... - The Tribune

Online Sales Taxes...

To date, companies selling goods online have not had to pay state sales taxes. That may change. The House overwhelmingly passed Bill 2403 in the push to force Amazon and other online retailers to collect taxes on sales made to Texans... - The Tribune

Democrats Fight GOP...

It's likely a losing battle, but outnumbered Texas Democrats are said to be ready to make a stand against the Republican-crafted state budget that drastically slashes social programs. The Senate version of the budget is the least painful, but it must be melded with that offered and approved by the House of Representatives. A vote on the budget is slated for sometime this week... - The Tribune

Great Voice Silenced...

Phoebe Snow, known for her '70s hit "Poetry Man," as well as singing many well-known jingles and theme songs, died today from complications from a brain hemorrhage she suffered last year. The song, she later said, was written for the love of her life, a man who never returned it, Jackson Browne... - The Tribune

Back For More...

Back from their 4-day Easter vacation, Texas Legislators today entertain a variety of Bills, including one teachers oppose vigorously, House Bill 400. It would allow larger class sizes in early grades, allow school districts to reduce employees’ salaries and allow districts to force teachers to take unpaid furloughs... - The Tribune

Under The Gun...

William A. "Bill" Martin, head of the City of Harlingen's Economic Development Commission, has been targeted by local citizens charging the entity is under-performing and essentially enriching its boss, shown in photo above. You can get more information about this at MyLeaderNews.com... - The Tribune

Blog Of The Day...

Maybe these t-shirts would put an end to the kidnappings in Mexico. You can get them - and others - at www.ThingsYouNeverKnew.com. Another T: "Curiosity killed the cat, but for awhile I was a suspect."... - The Tribune

Blog Of The Day...

Check out "www.AfroNerd.com" It is the happenin' blog for African-Americans. In fact, here's how it promotes itself: "A new and needed web sanctuary for people of color with intellectual and artistic pursuits." Shaft, baby. John Shaft. Can you dig it?... - The Tribune

The Machete Murder...

She asked her brother to defend her in a silly argument. He said go get me the machete; she got it, and he sliced 29-year-old Roel Rocha apart. Now Candie Reyna, 28, shown in photo above, is under arrest on a murder charge. Pharr Municipal Court Judge Luis Singleterry set her bond at $1 million before remanding her to the Hidalgo County Jail. Her machete-wielding brother, Alberto, is still at large... - The Tribune

Leading The Pack...

With less than a month left before voters cast their ballots in the race for Brownsville mayor, candidate Antonio "Tony" Martinez has become the odds-on favorite to take the job from incumbent Mayor Pat Ahumada. (The graphic accompanying this blurb is not of Mr. Martinez. It is merely a representation)... - The Tribune

The Absurd In Austin...

Jose Alfonso Aviles hated the idea that his daughter was involved in a Lesbian relationship. Yesterday, the 45-year-old went to his daughter's lover's home and shot the lover and her mother, 59-year-old Maria Hurtado, shown in photo above. Also killed was 24-year-old Norma Hurtado. The murders have stunned Austin... - The Tribune

Gen. Sanchez Targeted...

Texas Republicans have reacted to reports that Democrats are recruiting retired General Ricardo Sanchez to seek the U.S. Senate seat held by Kay Bailey Hutchinson by noting some of the general's problems. They have particularly jabbed at the torture of prisoners at Abu Ghraib, which the GOP says happened under Sanchez's watch while commanding U.S. troops in Iraq... - The Tribune

Mess In Rio Grande City...

City Manager Juan Zuniga, shown in photo above, and Police Chief B.A. "Dutch" Piper have been suspended with pay pending the results of a federal investigation. Allegations of sexual harassment and questionable handling of city funds are said to be at the heart of the probe... - The Tribune

Hispanic Gains...

Maybe those gains in the state's Hispanic population will lead to more representation. The latest plan being considered by Texas Legislators would increase the number of districts with a majority of Latino registered voters to 30, up from 29. A previous version had dropped the number to 28 Hispanic-dominated seats, leading Hispanic groups to complain and threaten lawsuits... - The Tribune

New Municipal Judge...

Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia has appointed McAllen restaurateur Homer Jasso Sr. to temporarily replace Mary Alice Palacios while she appeals her misdemeanor conviction on official oppression charges. Jasso, the owner of Don Pepe's Restaurant in McAllen, will serve under a section of the state statute that pertains to special and temporary justices. Jasso's service to the public includes a stint as Justice of The Peace... - The Tribune

Mr. October...

Funny-haired Jesse Sauceda, shown in photo above, was arrested Sunday afternoon after he went on what Brownsville police called a "bat rampage." Officers said the 44-year-old was drunk and using a baseball bat to break windows and attack his neighbors. Police reported Sauceda's batting practice included slamming a teen's hand and perhaps damaging it for life... - The Tribune

Pulitzer Prize, 2011...

Again, in keeping with Mankind's recorded history, no Rio Grande Valley newspaper won a Pulitizer Prize this year. The committee instead selected the Los Angeles Times as recipient of its top prize. The Times was cited for its exposure of corruption in the small California city of Bell, where officials tapped the treasury to pay themselves exorbitant salaries, resulting in arrests and reforms... - The Tribune

Porn Scandal...

Officials in California are hot on the tails of several high-profile porn production companies they say are hiding statistical data about a growing HIV epidemic within its actor community. Fears that many of the companies will move out of state without being accountable are fueling vigorous probes... - The Tribune

Brownsville Porter Ousted...

Brownsville Porter High's Edgar Leal, shown in photo above, tried, as did his teammates, but the Rio Grande Valley squad fell Friday night to Austin's McNeil High Mavericks, 2-1, in the State 5A soccer semi-finals match. The Mavericks scored a pair of goals in a 51-second span of the first half and never looked back in the Georgetown tiff. On Saturday, McNeil lost to Southlake Carroll, 2-0, in the championship match...- The Tribune

Redistricting Battles...

It begins. Population increases and shifts lead to drawing of state and congressional districts. The map, being debated Friday in the House Redistricting Committee, aims to elect a still-stronger Republican majority. Hispanic groups, such as the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, say the proposal should have as many as five new Hispanic-dominated districts. Republicans say their map adds a new Hispanic district in the Corpus Christi area... - The Tribune

One Against Airline...

That grand plan by Fly Frontera to get City of Brownsville money for a start-up operation got support from the mayor and the city commission. Well, all except for one. "I do not support it. I was the only commissioner to vote against it at last week's meeting. The commission voted to give BEDC up to 25 days to research the airline and its proposal. Too many red flags for me," said keen City Commissioner Melissa Zamora, shown in photo, in an Email to us... - The Tribune

Soccer Nation...

Just when you thought the Rio Grande Valley was too damned hot for summer soccer along comes a visionary. Golazo Soccer, an indoor facility in Pharr, will change things. The 30,000-square-foot building holds a professional-size soccer field and a miniature kids’ practice field. Oh, and there's a bar and wide-screen TV for die-hard futbol fans... - The Tribune

Teen Sexting Law Gains Vote...

Efforts by Legislators to pass a "sexting" Bill gained needed traction today. The Texas Senate voted to allow prosecutors to charge teenagers 17 or younger with a misdemeanor, not a felony, if they are caught "sexting." The Bill now goes to the House for its consideration... - The Tribune

Top Party Schools...

The University of Texas, rated the top party school in the country a year ago by Playboy Magazine, has dropped to Number 5 this year. The magazine has the University of Colorado-Bloulder at Number 1. Rankings are based on various factors, including male-female ratios, success of sports teams, proximity to "cool" recreational amenities and, allegedly, academic excellence... - The Tribune

Dream Act Support...

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York shown in photo above, won't stop pushing for the Dream Act, which hopes to keep undocumented students from being deported. "We strongly believe that DREAM Act students should not be removed from the United States, because they have great potential to contribute to our country and children should not be punished for their parents' mistakes," she and 16 other lawmakers wrote in a letter to President Obama... - The Tribune

Drunk Drivers Beware...

You may have just left the noisy cantina, but there's a good chance you may soon drive up on a DWI checkpoint before you make it home. More than 30 states now give police the option to operate these stops. On Tuesday afternoon, the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee considered HB 439, which would add Texas to that list... - The Tribune

No To GOP Budget Axe...

President Barack Obama today re-affirmed his opposition to drastic cuts in the federal budget being proposed by Republicans. In an afternoon speech, the president said Medicare, which primarily serves the elderly, would not be cut: "I will preserve these health care programs as a promise we make to each other in this society. I will not allow Medicare to become a voucher program that leaves seniors at the mercy of the insurance industry, with a shrinking benefit to pay for rising costs."... - The Tribune

Comish Marra Booked...

Harlingen City Commissioner Kori Marra, shown in photo above, was booked into Cameron County jail Monday in connection with conflict of interest charges. Marra was released on two $1,000 personal recognizance bonds. The charges stem from a complaint filed by city resident Yolanda Shoffeitt. Ms. Shoffeitt alleges commissioners considered extending a special assessment for businesses in the downtown district during a Sept., 2010 meeting, an area that includes Marra’s real estate office. Although no vote was taken at that meeting, state conflict-of-interest laws prohibit officials from discussing an item in which they have an interest. If convicted of the Class A misdemeanor, she faces up to one year in jail and a fine of $4,000... - The Tribune

Medicaid Cuts Hurt Elderly...

Those budget cuts coming out of Austin will soon hurt the elderly. It costs about $135 to $150 a day or $49,275 to $54,750 a year to care for that person in a nursing home. Texas Medicaid pays homes $123 a day per patients, according to a story published by the Austin American-Statesman. At present, there are 56,000 nursing homes residents on Medicaid...The Tribune

The Great Obama Cave-In...

More than half of the $38 billion in spending cuts that lawmakers agreed to last week in the 2011 budget compromise that averted a government shutdown would hit education, labor and health programs. Republicans are rejoicing... - The Tribune

The Canseco Show...

Ready for this? The Yuma Scorpions, of the independent North American League, have named Jose Canseco manager and twin brother Ozzie Canseco bench coach and hitting coach. Both brothers will also play. Jose Canseco played in the Rio Grande Valley last season, bringing his disgraced act to Harlingen with the Laredo club that played the Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings. His pro career was tainted by steroid use Canseco admitted. What he knows about managing a ballclub is anybody's guess... - The Tribune

Trouble In San Juan...

An argument over campaign signs sent a few San Juan residents into the streets. At the center of the Sunday afternoon mano-a-mano was City Commisioner Bob Garza, shown in black T-shirt with his father. Two men formerly involved in a petition effort to recall San Juan’s city commissioners accused Garza of getting physical during an argument at the site of several campaign signs. None of the four combatants wore a luchador's mask... - The Tribune

The Quiet One...

Not much has been heard from Harlingen City Commissioner Kori Marra of late, and perhaps that bodes well for the struggling mid-valley town. There are Second Acts in American politics. In photo above, she is shown handing a certificate of appreciation to resident Nick Consiglio... - The Tribune

American Nabbed...

Officials with the U.S. State Department say an American man was among dozens of people reportedly pulled by gunmen off passenger buses near the town of San Fernando in northeastern Mexico, where 72 bodies were found in mass graves last week... - The Tribune

Two More Arrests In Rio Hondo Teacher Killing...

Police have arrested two more men in connection with an alleged murder-for hire that took the life of Rio Hondo ISD 3rd grade teacher Sonia Perez, shown in photo above. Mark Daniel Garza and Daniel Castaneda were charged with capital murder. The 39-year-old schoolteacher was murdered March 31. Police say her husband, Julio Cesar, wanted her dead. He and three other men were arrested earlier... - The Tribune

Prison Housing Axed...

Legislators voted late Friday to end the practice of giving state prison employees free housing. More than 2,500 prison employees were getting free or discounted rent, among several employee perks. No more... - The Tribune

Ghoulish In Weslaco...

City officials in Weslaco are wondering what the Hell happened at the city cemetery. They say two unidentified cemetery workers were burying bodies in gravesites meant for others. Cops have been called in to investigate... - The Tribune

Texting Ban Passes...

The House of Representative today passed a bill banning texting while driving. The bill, which passed on a 124-16 vote, would make it illegal to text while driving. Reading text and Email messages on cellphones will still be okay... - The Tribune

Speed Limit To 85 MPH...

Think Texas highway drivers are too slow for you? Well, under legislation approved today by the Texas House, motorists on the state's major highways would be allowed to gun engines to 85 mph, which would be the highest in the nation... - The Tribune

Japan Rocked Again...

Japan was rattled by a strong aftershock and tsunami warning today nearly a month after a devastating earthquake and tsunami flattened the northeastern coast... - The Tribune

No Snacks On Food Stamps...

They say it's about health, but who knows? Texas State Rep. Richard Raymond, a Democrat from Laredo, is offering House Bill 1151 to prohibit the purchase of junk food like potato chips, candy, sodas and cookies on the Lone Star Card availed to many qualifying poor Texans... - The Tribune

Second Agent Killer Nabbed...

Mexican Federal police say Jose Manuel Garcia Soto, alias "El Safado," has confessed to participating in the Feb. 15th killing of ICE agent Jaime Zapata, of Brownsville (shown in photo), and the wounding of fellow agent Victor Avila, of El Paso. The two agents were traveling along a Mexican highway from San Luis Potosi to Mexico City when they were ambushed... - The Tribune

Slow Tax Refunds...

Expecting a tax refund? Well, it may be late if Congress can't resolve its federal budget stalemate by Friday. The IRS would be one agency affected directly... - The Tribune

Lowering The Standard...

Texas Lawmakers want to make things easier for high school seniors. House Bill 500 would loosen requirements and allow a student to graduate by passing four exams: Algebra and English III, as well as one from each of the other two subject areas. Under current guidelines, students need to take 12 end-of-school exams: in English, Math, Science and Social Studies... - The Tribune

The Hispanic Count...

Again, it's about redistricting, the occasional drawing of electoral districts based on population shifts, and Hispanics believe an undercount in the 2010 Census will hurt them. Solution: The Mexican American Legislative Caucus filed a lawsuit Tuesday to prevent the use of Census numbers they say are flawed... - The Tribune

And Now The Feds...

That fight over the state budget in Austin pales against the battle for dollars in the Nation's capital. Washington is hurtling toward a government shutdown on Friday night as the time to agree on a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year grows very short. Those of you who get government checks, well, they won't be coming if the government shuts down... - The Tribune

Good Morning, Vetnam!...

Time to do what should've been done years ago. Hang with a VietVet this weekend. Saturday in the City of Palms... - The Tribune

Third Suspect Copped..

Police have captured the third man they say was involved in an alleged murder-for-hire in Rio Hondo. Cops say Daniel Lopez, shown in photo above, was an accomplice in the killing of Rio Hondo ISD 3rd Grade teacher Sonia Perez last Thursday. Her husband, Julio Cesar Perez, reportedly offered the killer or killers $1,300 to kill his wife. He and another man were arrested earlier. Lopez is the alleged triggerman... - The Tribune

House Slashes Budget...

To no one's surprise, the vote on the 2012-2013 state budget in the House of Representatives went largely along party lines. It was 98 Republicans for the bare bones budget and 49 Democrats against it. Only a pair of Republicans, one being former Democrat Aaron Pena of Edinburg, sided with the Democrats. Yesterday's result is a slimmer $164.5 billion version of the state budget. It is a whopping $23 billion less than the current budget, slashing public education and social programs such as Medicaid... - The Tribune

Hired Hitman Case...

Police have arrested the 39-year-old husband of murdered Rio Hondo teacher Sonia Perez, who was gunned down last Thursday. Her husband, Julio Cesar Perez, is shown at left in photo; alleged accomplice, Gabriel Apolinar Escalante, 20, at right. A third suspect is still at large. Authorities say they have no motive for what they believe was a murder-for-hire... - The Tribune

Cuts in AIDS Program...

It won't affect those already being helped, but Texas wants to cut deeply into funding for AIDS assistance. The Aids Drug Assistance Program costs $97 million and serves an estimated 15,249 Texans. Enrollment would be greatly curtailed if Legislators vote for the funding cut. The action is yet another result of the state's $27 billion deficit... - The Tribune

Was Gandhi Bisexual?...

A new book by former New York Times Executive Editor Joseph Lelyveld is drawing harsh criticism in India, where some officials are angry the iconic Gandhi has been portrayed as being Gay in the book. Lelyveld, a Pulitzer Prize winner, is aghast, saying nothing of the sort is included in the book. He does write extensively about a very close relationship between Gandhi and a German architect... - The Tribune

News From Drug-Torn Mexico: First Woman AG...

In nominating Marisela Morales as the country's next attorney general, Mexican President Felipe Calderon said the current head of the organized crime special investigations unit "enjoys prestige inside and outside the country." She replaces Arturo Chavez Chavez, said to have been soft on prosecuting members of the drug cartels... - The Tribune

Judge Pleads Guilty...

Information has surfaced that former 404th state District Judge Abel C. Limas, shown in photo above, "solicited and accepted bribes and extorted money" from a variety of people with cases in his court, their attorneys and representatives. In turn, the 57-year-old Limas gave them favorable rulings. Limas was indicted Wednesday... - The Tribune

Teen Prisoners Paid...

Texas does not pay its adult male prisoners for custodial and kitchen work done inside its prisons. But teenagers get between 50 cents and $2-an-hour for the same work. This year, it will cost Texas $167,000 to meet that prisoner payroll. "We have one youth who's paying $200 a month in child support through this program," said Youth Commission Director Cherie Townsend... - The Tribune

Jake Drops Chapa...

The tireless blogger known to all of us as "Jake," but whose real name is Ralph Garcia, has Emailed us this note: "Alright, Mr. Paz-Martinez. I have advised Mr. Chapa that I will no longer be posting comments to his blog. I will trust that you will not be posting this on your blog, as has been your habit in the past." We replied saying we appreciated his prompt response to our plans of adding him to a lawsuit we are preparing against Tony Chapa. But, after all the inanities he's blogged about us, we told him it was fair that his note should be published on The Tribune. We also told him our lawyer in McAllen would look kindly to his gesture of contrition... - Eduardo Paz-Martinez, Editor ofThe Tribune

$5 Million Reward...

The U.S. government is offering a $5 million cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murder of ICE Agent Jaime Zapata. He and another agent were ambushed Feb. 15 while they drove on a Mexican highway taking them from San Luis Potosi to Mexico City... - The Tribune

Cash-Strapped Texas Interested In Privatizing Prisoner Health Care...

State officials say the cost of caring for prisoners during the next two years will near the $1 billion mark. Now, Gov. Rick Perry's office is looking at the idea of having private vendors take over the operation of some or all medical clinics at Texas' 112 state prisons, in addition to hospital care and the pharmacy for the prison clinics... - The Tribune

Teachers Out The Door...

The Austin Independent School District is dealing with its expected budgetary shortfall by dismissing 1,153 employees - from teachers to custodians. School officials who approved the layoffs yesterday say they can't keep them when the district's budget loses $85 million is state funding. Its proposed budget for the coming school year is now at $752 million... - The Tribune

More $$$ For Prisons, DPS...

Texas legislators are still wrestling with that $27 billion deficit, but word comes that they are looking at pumping more money into the prison system and Department of Public Safety. How much? How about $373 million during the next two years. It wasn't that long ago, that state troopers were told of coming layoffs... - The Tribune

Vets May Take Budget Hit...

Texas Legislators want to cut the Texas Veterans Commission's budget by 20 percent, or about $2.8 million. Among other duties, the agency helps returning veterans find jobs and apply for service-related benefits such as disability aid. At present, there are 1.8 million veterans in Texas... - The Tribune

Bad Day At The Beach...

In South Padre Island, charges of intoxication manslaughter and intoxication assault have been filed against the driver of an SUV that rolled-over Saturday on a beach-access road, killing three-year-old Natalia Raquel Alvarado, of Brownsville. Island police said she was ejected from the vehicle and died at the scene. The driver has not been identified... - The Tribune

The Last Refuge...

Mexicans are now heading to the nation's capital for protection against warring drug cartels. Mexico City used to be an emblem of runaway crime, viewed by many Mexicans as a viper pit that was best avoided if you didn't want to be mugged or forced at gunpoint to withdraw money from ATMs and hand it over... - The Tribune

One Dead In South Padre...

Beach cops are reporting the death of a 4-year-old girl in a one-car rollover along Beach Access Road #5. Injured family members have been transported to a hospital in Harlingen. Cops believe alcohol was involved... - The Tribune

Geraldine Ferraro Dead...

The feisty New York Democrat who ran as Walter Mondale's vice-presidential selection in 1984, died Saturday of complications related to blood cancer. She was 75. Ms. Ferraro was the first major female vice presidential candidate in the history of the U.S.... - The Tribune

He Sought Boy-Sex Online...

Cops say former Edinburg Middle School teacher Abel Castro, shown wearing a Mervyn's shirt in photo above, had been soft-surfing the Internet for sex. He was placed on 10-years probation and ordered to hand-in his teaching certification. Arranging to meet and have sex with who he thought was a 14-year-old boy he met online did him in. When he arrived at a McAllen house, officers busted the 44-year-old miscreant on felony charges... - The Tribune

The Cold & Coy D.A....

He's been less than forthcoming, but Cameron County District Attorney Armando Villalobos, shown in photo, is playing this to his benefit. "Anything can be staged to look like a suicide," he said yesterday about the mysterious death of Asst. D.A. Arturo Jose Iniguez in Matamoros. Villalobos again tortures the young lawyer's family by injecting the possibility of murder. He knows much more... - Rudolf Von Bulow, Reporting for The Tribune

Tapia-Gonzalez Officially Out...

Harlingen City Manager Carlos Yerena has confirmed the firing late Tuesday of Nydia Tapia-Gonzalez, the executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau. "In evaluating the facts relating to the (ethics) complaint, it is my judgment that (Tapia-Gonzales) was not performing," Yerena said of the dismissal. “(She was) using poor judgment for her dual role for two organizations that involved the use of public funds."... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Republicans Ramrod ID Bill...

Republicans used their huge member mjaority to pass the state's new Voter ID Bill late last night by a vote of 101-48. Rep. Joe Pickett of El Paso was the only Democrat who voted for the measure. No Republicans voted against it. One political party sets law for all concerned. Never good for inclusive Democracy... - Rudolf Von Bulow, Reporting for The Tribune

Ils Sont Parti!...

Republicans interested in winning the White House are beginning to posture themselves for a run in the 2012 election against President Barack Obama. Wife-cheater Newt Gingrich, Mormon Mitt Romney, Boring Tim Pawlenty and Southern Racist Haley Barbour are shown from left to right in photo. Gingrich and Barbour have no chance... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

McAllen's Horny Cop...

Oscar J. Garcia, a lieutenant who supervised the City of Palms' 911 service, has been suspended indefinitely after numerous complaints by a female employee who said Garcia was harrassing her inappropriately. According to Chief Victor Rodriguez, the frisky lieutenant told the woman he found her "attractive" and had "feelings" for her. The suspension is essentially a firing. Garcia was being paid $72,000 annually... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Liz Taylor Dead...

The famed Hollywood actress has died. No word on cause of death, but she had been suffering from heart problems. Taylor's lore includes eight marriages, one to mullet-haired construction worker Larry Fortensky. She was 79... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Fighter Crashes; Pilots Okay...

A U.S. Air Force F-15E jetfighter crashed in Libya after suffering mechanical problems. Both airmen aboard survived the crash and are back in U.S. hands... - Rudolf Von Bulow, Reporting for The Tribune

Veterans May Gain Edge...

A bill in the Texas Legislature filed by State Rep. Ryan Guillen of Rio Grande City would give veteran-owned businesses preference when competing for state contracts. "For those who have come back disabled, it's hard for them to pick up where they left off, it's hard to compete," said Guillen, a Democrat shown in photo above. "I thought this was a way we could honor them for their sacrifice." ...- Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Brownsville Elections...

Voter ID Vote Today...

The House of Representatives is expected to follow the Senate's lead in passing a measure that would require Texans to show a valid photo ID when voting Driver's licenses, passports and state-issued IDs will be needed to cast ballots. The Bill is being ramrodded by the Republican majority... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Out In Mexico...

Carlos Pascual, the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, resigned Saturday amid furor over a leaked diplomatic cable in which he complained about inefficiency and infighting among Mexican security forces in the campaign against drug cartels... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Rebels Down Libyan Jet...

While NATO drew plans to launch a No Fly Zone over Libya, rebels out to rid the country of dictator Moammar Khadafy shot down one of the strongman's military jetfighters, even as Libya said it was ending attacks on its own citizens... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

McAllen Honors Its Vets...

The City of Palms is thinking big again. Residents wishing to thank veterans seek an American Spire of Honor that would rise 105 feet, or roughly 10 stories, and would anchor the Veterans War Memorial of Texas, located at the intersection of Galveston Avenue and 29th St. in McAllen. Those who want it say the black granite structure will cost about $340,000... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

No School For Inmates...

Texas Death Row prisoners will get a harsher drug in their lethal injections beginning next month. And, now, the cash-starved state wants to do away with prison schools, where more than 77,000 of Texas’ 154,000 convicts are studying. The prison school district has been getting more than $120 million yearly, but legislators now want to kill the program or slash its budget down to $20 million... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Bad To Worse...

Efforts to rein in problems at Japanese nuclear plants damaged by last Friday's earthquake have not abated the risk of increased radiation. The State Department said the U. S. has chartered aircraft to help Americans leave Japan and had authorized the voluntary departure of family members of diplomatic staff in Tokyo, Nagoya and Yokohama - about 600 people... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

U.S. Drones in Mexico...

The Mexican government said Wednesday it has allowed U.S. drones to fly over its territory to gather intelligence on drug traffickers, but insisted the operations were under its control. Little by little, the U.S. is joining the fight, the officials added... - Rudolf Von Bulow, Reporting for The Tribune

That Rainy Day Fund...

Texas is $27 billion in the red. Republican Gov. Rick Perry hasn't been interested in drawing on the state's $9 billion "Rainy Day" fund. But, yesterday, the Texas House Appropriations Committee voted to take $3.1 billion out of the fund to help cover a deficit in the current two-year budget cycle. But lawmakers must also approve a budget for the next two years, and they're about $23 billion short of the money they need to continue services at their existing levels... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Japan On Edge...

A third reactor exploded late Monday at the Japanese nuclear plant crippled by Friday's earthquake, releasing a dangerous amount of radiation, officials said... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Comish Marra Charged...

News comes that Cameron County prosecutors have charged controversial Harlingen City Commissioner Kori Marra with ethics violations. If convicted, she faces a penalty of one year in prison and a $4,000 fine... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Educators March On Austin...

More than 9,000 educators, parents and children mobbed the state capitol yesterday, protesting the Republican-led Legislature's plan to cut school funding. Most suggested Republican Gov. Rick Perry use some of the $9 billion Texas holds in reserve in its Rainy Day Fund to avoid teacher lay-offs... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor of The Tribune

Blast at Nuke Plant...

The tsunami disaster in Japan took another horrifying turn Saturday, after an explosion ripped through a nuclear power station, triggering a potentially catastrophic radiation leak. Japanese officials said the death count is nearing 5,000 following the massive earthquake... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Justice of the Peace Palacios Found Guilty...

Hidalgo County Justice of the Peace Mary Alice Palacios was found guilty on two counts of official oppression late Friday afternoon. The case center on the jailing of teens for truancy. A jury agreed with prosecutors that the practice exceeded her charge... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Good Immigration Law, From A Sound Republican...

State Rep. Paul Workman's bill offers undocumented immigrants the chance to apply for resident alien cards. The card would be valid only in Texas and would cost $4,000 - estimated to be a human smuggler's charge to bring someone across the border. It would be valid for eight years and would require the applicant to pass criminal background checks. Workman is a Republican from Austin... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Toddle Inn Is 50...

When he's in Brownsville, Tribune Editor Patrick Alcatraz always has his breakfast at The Toddle Inn on Central Boulevard. The eatery is celebrating its 50th Anniversary... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Feds Targeted...

Austin police reported bomb threats had been made to the Texas Attorney General's office and three other federal buildings late Thursday. All were evacuated without incident... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

We'll Leave The Gouge On...

Harlingen's Motel 6 is among a list of Rio Grande Valley motels fined for raising its rates during Hurricane Dolly. The motel was fined $11,000... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Another Republican Quitting...

Sen. John Ensign of Nevada announced on Monday that he will not seek reelection in 2012. His service included a much-publicized affair with the wife of one of his backers, a woman said to have been given $96,000 by his parents in what critics described as a "hush money" transaction... - Nick Ryan Reporting for The Tribune

Hispanic Boom In Austin...

Demographers say the Austin metroplex now counts more than 500,000 Hispanics. "Latinos are attracted as anyone else to communities with a high quality of life with emphasis on schools and safety," says Round Rock City Council Member Carlos Salinas... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Gangster Mama Busted...

Cynthia Hernandez, a member of the Brown Pride gang, was one of 45 people arrested by Hidalgo County Sheriff's Deputies in the recent Operation Street Sweep... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Playball!...

Opening Day is still a month away for Major League Baseball, but already the clubs are fast into Spring Training and exhibition games... - Doyle May, Sports Editor of The Tribune

That Sonogram Bill...

House members led by the Republican majority voted in favor of the controversial sonogram bill yesterday, clearing the way for final aproval after it is reconciled with the Senate version. Final action is expected on Monday... - Spider Zepeda, Reporting for The Tribune

Slots At The Track...

A legislative bill to allow slot machines at racetracks and Indian reservations is being filed today. It would allow 13 horse tracks and greyhound tracks around the state to have slot machines. Slots would also be okayed for three Indian reservations in East Texas, South Texas and West Texas. Still, it would take a constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority in the House & Senate. The matter would then be decided by the voters. Texas would stand to get some $225 million in tax-related revenue... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

It's McAllen Again!...

Sealed bids opened Tuesday by City of Harlingen officials for construction of an access road to the new Bass Pro Shops development shows McAllen Construction Company is the lowest bidder with its $2.7 million proposal. No Harlingen company made the Top 5 low Bids. The road project is expected to begin later this month... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Ready To Quit This Kick?...

Facebook announced today in a letter to Congress that the social-media platform is moving forward with plans to give third parties access to user information, such as phone numbers and home addresses... - Spider Zepeda, Reporting for The Tribune

And So It Begins...

Booze-thirsty college students and other social daredevils are descending on South Padre Island as this year's Spring Break gets underway. Condoms and shot glasses are at the ready... - Joshua Coffman, Reporting for The Tribune

Rick Perry's Geography...

The Lone Star State Republican and chairman of the Republican Governors Association inaccurately called Juarez, Mexico "the most dangerous city in America" when speaking with reporters on Monday. The gaffe reportedly came in a criticism Perry made against the Obama administration for its handling of issues related to border security... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Crazy Brownsville Politics...

Candidate Tony Martinez, shown at left in photo with the Capt. Kangaroo hair, wants to replace Mayor Pat Ahumada. Woman at right is NOT Bianca Jagger... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

The Words of Kori Marra...

Well, this may or may not work as an explanation regarding her federal tax woes. As quoted in an article in the Valley Morning Star, the Harlingen commissioner says: “I’m not arguing with anybody about whether I owe it. I’m ultimately responsible; there’s no question about that. If I owe it, I’m going to pay it. I'm supposed to be perfect because I’m a city commissioner; there is (only) one person who is perfect, and that is God. I’m striving for excellence, just like everybody else. I have to understand that I am not perfect and I hope the citizens understand that I am not perfect.”

Anti-Immigrant Gets Death...

An Arizona jury has sentenced border activist Shawna Forde to death in connection with the 2009 murder of a 9-year-old Hispanic girl and her father... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Pirates Kill Americans...

Four Americans who were being held hostage by Somali pirates off the Eastern Coast of Africa were slaughtered Tuesday before the U.S. Navy could rescue them... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

A Politician We Support...

Brownsville City Commissioner Melissa Zamora is only one of a handful of female elected officials in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. She's new, but she's learning... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Guns & Books...

Texas wants to give college students and professors the right to carry guns on campus. State has 38 public campuses and 500,000 students... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Sunday Brunch...

Helen's in Buda, south of Austin. Cafe looked lively this morning. Huevos a La Mejicana & hot coffee. Old building downtown. Wooden floor, metal ceiling, the smell of decades chasing the lovely aroma of burning chorizo... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor of The Tribune

Downer in Brownsville...

The bordertown's women report their battles with depression are a huge problem. Spousal abuse and unemployed husbands addicted to beer are blamed... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Trouble In Wisconsin...

Protests in Wisconsin continue to surge today, even as reports from Thursday evening claimed as many as 25,000 demonstrators had taken to the state's capitol building in Madison. Residents are turning out in droves to oppose a bill they view as an anti-union effort that would infringe on the rights of state workers, proposed by Republican Gov. Scott Walker... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Commissioner's IRS Woes...

Harlingen City Commissioner Kori Marra today confirmed a lien had been filed against her real estate business for failure to pay almost $20,000 in payroll taxes. Marra blames an office employee, but adds the taxes have been paid. The IRS claimed Marra's company had not paid since 2005... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Along Canadian Border...

Inside a convenience store in Derby, VT, a U.S. Border Patrol agent poses for photo with a wandering Canadian family. Little strife here... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

A $54 Million Savings...

If there is one group that a growing number of lawmakers seem to agree should be gone from Texas, it's the prisoners who are foreign nationals - a group that now numbers almost 12,000, most of them from Mexico. Texas may be releasing them in a cost-saving measure... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Now It Can Be Told...

CBS News says correspondent Lara Logan "suffered a brutal and sustained sexual assault" while covering the resignation of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. She is back in the states, recovering... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

And Now Iran...

Protesters took to the streets of Tehran today to express anger at the Iranian regime. It may mirror Egypt's recent revolution... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Hell-o, Charro Days...

We know it's just around the corner, but when exactly is this annual Mexican goofball celebration in Brownsville?... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Horny Republican Moron...

He's married and has a child, but there was GOP Congressman Christopher Lee looking for a hook-up on Craigslist. He resigned today, lamely saying this: "It has been a tremendous honor to serve the people of Western New York. I regret the harm that my actions have caused my family, my staff and my constituents. I deeply and sincerely apologize to them all. I have made profound mistakes and I promise to work as hard as I can to seek their forgiveness..." - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

About Sonogram Law...

Today is the day the Texas Legislature begins hearing a proposal to make sonograms a part of all abortions. It would require pregnant women to see their fetus ahead of the procedure. It's a long haul, but Republicans are after this horrible intrusion into a personal decision. They bitch about federal health mandates, but spring one of their own on Texas women... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Parents & Teen Sexting...

State Attorney General Greg Abbott and former Austin mayor Kirk Watson, now a state senator, have fallen behind a legislative bill aimed at curbing the growing problem of “sexting” among teenagers. Teens texting nude photos of themselves could lead to parents being held accountable... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Austin Gets Dusting...

Ice crippled most of the city's streets and major arteries, but a sprinkling of snow added to the winter scenery. Temperature readings to reach a High of 39 degrees here today... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor of The Tribune

CNN's Newsman Beaten...

Caught in the revolution melee at Cairo's central square, Anderson Cooper fended off an attack that saw him take punches to the head. Today, he said it was "amazing to see the crowd turn as it did." Observers blamed thugs supporting troubled President Hosni Mubarak... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Mubarak Opts Out...

Facing massive protests, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak today said he will not seek re-election in next September's elections. This may not placate his countrymen, who want him to resign now... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Roethlisberger & All Those Rape Allegations...

Quote from Jeremy Piven, star of HBO's Entourage, shown in photo at right: "Bears and Jets would have been the greatest Super Bowl. Now it's Rapistberger and the Cheeseheads. The Cheesy Rape Burger."... - Doyle May, Sports Editor of The Tribune

Trouble In Egypt...

Thousands of anti-government protesters, some hurling rocks and climbing atop an armored police truck, clashed with riot police today in the center of Cairo in a Tunisia-inspired demonstration to demand the end of Hosni Mubarak's nearly 30 years in power... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

An American Tune...

President Obama stayed the course in his State of The Union speech last night. It's work-together, he repeats... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Journal of Ordinary Grief...

Brownsville Mayor Pat Ahumada is once again seeking re-election. As happens in a bored bordertown, a covey of opponents has risen to take him on... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Texas Postcard...

Relics of the Lone Star State's past line backroads along the Texas Hill Country. So much life and so much emptiness... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Longhorn Network Coming...

The University of Texas and ESPN have agreed on a deal that will create a 24-hour Longhorns Cable channel. UT is expected to get $10 million annually from the deal... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Blamed for Arizona Shooting...

Eric Fuller, 63, who was struck by a bullet in the hail of gunfire in Tucson that killed six and wounded 13 on Saturday, claimed Thursday that conservative figureheads such as Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck and Sharron Angle were to blame for the violence in Arizona... - Kermit Perez, Reporting for The Tribune

President Shines...

Last night's address in Arizona, consoling and embracing in the aftermath of last weekend's shootings in Tucson, is being seen as President Obama's best speech. Again, he stressed the need for civility in politics while assuaging worries and expressing sympathy... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Why Republicans Are Stupid...

Rush Limbaugh reacted to the instantly infamous mugshot of Jared Lee Loughner, the suspected gunman in the Arizona shooting, by saying that the reason Loughner is smiling in the picture is because he knows he is backed by the Democratic Party... - Associated Press

This Just In: GOP Blowhard Will Now Dance In Prison...

A judge ordered former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, a Republican and former "Dancing With The Stars" contestant, to serve three years in prison Monday for his role in a scheme to illegally funnel corporate money to Texas candidates in 2002... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting

Arizona Shooter Was Member of Hate Group...

Jared Lee Loughner, the alleged shooter of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords on Saturday, may have ties to anti-Semitic, anti-immigration hate group American Renaissance, according to a leaked memo from the Department of Homeland Security... - Bob Veracruz

The Coonhound...

Former Democrat State Rep. Aaron Pena, of Edinburg, bought into the idea that Republican redistricting would protect his seat. He switched parties and now counts on a re-drawing of his district as a way to stay in office. In switching-over, the Pig-faced Pena was treated with all the propriety of a coonhound by state Republicans... - Ricardo Klement

New Speaker of the House...

What a crybaby! Republican Congressman John Boehner of Ohio weeps as he accepts House of Representatives leadership post... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Cartel Takes A Break...

La Familia, one of the most violent and notorious drug gangs in Mexico has reportedly circulated a letter announcing a one month ceasefire. Henchmen for the Michoacan cartel say they cannot be blamed for violence during the pause... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting

From The Tribune Emailbag...

Say DPM, your comment to TCs blog directed to me was deleted. It pissed me off because it happened immediately after I had posted a response. But I'm going along with it. It reminds me of my old job. Where many times my work was ignored because some supervisor thought best of it. I'm sure I've already told you that I'm retired from ICE, right? I'm not a geezer like Deal or even TC, although I don't know how old TC really is. Even though he does act like some kind of senior citizen. But by the photo on his blog, I'm either just a few years younger or around the same age. I'm 55. Anyway, I'm going to stick by TC for the time being. But it is conceivable that I may lose it and go totally against him. We'll see. Oh, and DPM, no hard feelings, alright? Jake.

Christmas in The Big Apple...

A pair of Santas on their way to join the early-morning shopping mobs. As always, Gotham City's all dolled-up in colorful Holiday Cheer... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor

Big Gains in State Population...

Hispanics comprise 70 percent of the 5 million new residents Texas added in the past 10 years. The statistic comes from the 2010 Census. Texas now counts 25 million residents... - Bob Veracruz

Gays Okay in the Military...

The military’s longstanding ban on service by gays and lesbians came to a historic and symbolic end on Wednesday, as President Obama signed legislation repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell,” the contentious 17-year old Clinton-era law that sought to allow gays to serve under the terms of an uneasy compromise that required them to keep their sexuality a secret.... - Ricardo Klement

No Valley County Among Country's 10 Poorest...

Only Zapata and Brooks counties made the Top 10 Poorest Counties in the 2010 Census. Brooks (Falfurrias) was #4 with citizens earning a median income of $19,425. Zapata County ranked #8 with a median income of $20,525. The poorest county in the nation was Owsley County, KY, where citizens earned a median of $18,869... - Bob Veracruz

The Deal of The Day...

Cops in Edinburg busted 35-year-old Dulce Liliana Nava Cardenas in the act of bedding a 16-year-old kid. According to the fuzz, she asked for $150 to perform every sexual act known to man... - Nick Ryan

Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad...

This more than any other time of the year is the Season for Giving. Find someone needy and gift them a little something. It's what makes us the most benevolent and civilized nation on Earth... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor

Just Another Birther Chump...

Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin, an Army doctor who disobeyed orders to deploy to Afghanistan because he questioned President Barack Obama's eligibility to be commander in chief, was sentenced by a jury Thursday to six months in a military prison and dismissal from the Army. He wept at the sentencing and tried to take it all back, like a goddamned coward... - Kermit Perez

Moron Of The Week...

Portly State Rep. Aaron Pena today announced he is leaving the Democratic Party that helped launch his political career to become just another Mexican doormat for the racist Republican Party... - Kermit Perez

Why New Yorkers Disdain Cars...

How'd you like to pay just over a thousand bucks a month for a place on the Upper East Side - for your car? Yep, the four-figure parking spot has arrived at the garage inside The Empire at East 78th Street and Third Avenue. With the parking tax, that comes out to $14,400 per year, enough to buy another new car... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor

Madoff's Son Hangs Himself...

About Wikileaks...

The Tribune fully supports the idea of transparency in America's global dealings. Wikileaks is only releasing information the country's citizenry always suspected was true, but could never prove. The diplomatic cables being released verbatim are shockingly brutal in our assessments of foreign governments. It begs the question: What is our government doing domestically?... - Patrick Alcatraz

Elizabeth Edwards Dies...

The brave ex-wife of cheating Democrat John Edwards succumbs to cancer at her home in Chapel Hill, N.C. She was 61... - Hargis Bonner

Dandy Don Dead...

Don Meredith, one of the most recognizable figures of the early Dallas Cowboys and an original member of ABC's "Monday Night Football" broadcast team, died Sunday in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He was 72... - Doyle May

Winter In Gotham City...

Tribune Photo of The Year...

Former Tribune reporter Ron Mexico shown on his way to a Rio Grande Valley WhiteWings baseball game earlier this year. Mexico was gunned down in Amsterdam last summer, weeks after being fired for drinking whiskey while covering a meeting at City Hall... - Ricardo Klement

Evenings or Mornings?...

Sex therapists in Europe say morning sex is the best way to begin a new day. Mostly because the body is more relaxed. What do you say?... - Ricardo Klement

Riding The Old Rails...

Gotham City has rolled out a string of vintage subway cars. It's the Holiday Season in The Big Apple... - Patrick Alcatraz

Fashions of The Flea Market...

A lovely RGVofTexas lass struts her stuff while modeling an economic knock-off of a fine African dress... - Vince Valdez

The Road Is Long...

Cameron County Judge candidate John Wood will have to wait one more day for the completion of a canvassing of all Nov. 2nd Election Day voting before he knows whether he's won or lost. The Democrat Wood is shown in photo with State Rep. Rene "The Plump Partridge" Oliveira... - Ricardo Klement

Mama Bush Disses Mama Grizzly on Larry King Live...

First Secede, Now Invade...

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, the retard who earlier wanted Texas to secede from the union, now wants the U.S. to invade Mexico. It'll secure the southern border, he said today... - Ricardo Klement

One of Life's Little Pleasures...

There was a time in America when the nude was a national artform. It still is in the Big City, but you'd be hard-pressed to find it in the RGVofTexas... - Ricardo Klement

Juicy Brownsville Stories...

Bobby Wightman-Cervantes, editor of BrownsvilleVoice.blogspot.com, is reporting that local blogger Juan Montoya is presently in Cameron County Jail on charges of Driving While Intoxicated and Reckless Driving. Montoya is the operator of RrunRrun.blogspot.com. Wightman-Cervantes tells his readers Juan may be in jail through the holidays and not see freedom until after New Year's Day. Meanwhile, Montoya ally Jerry McHale is defending his friend against Bobby's "Transparency-In-Blogging" by damning Wightman-Cervantes on the badly-named blog, Brownsville Literary Review.Stay tuned. All of this will soon be a minor motion picture... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor

Postcard from Harlingen...

The city's downtown is taking on the appearance of a ghost town. Vacant, falling buildings abound... - Ricardo Klement

Guns Across The River...

Fearful officials at the University of Texas-Brownsville shuttered the campus on Friday, citing wanton gunfire in nearby Matamoros, Mexico. Homecoming activities scheduled for today have been moved to a safer location. Aspen, Colorado?...- Patrick Alcatraz

Angry White Men...

Presumed new Speaker of the House of Representatives John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell say Republicans will do all they can to overturn Health Care Reform. Country be damned... - Ricardo Klement

Weed in Daughter's Bedroom...

Grabs Knife; Threatens Cook...

Brownsville cops collared 44-year-old Joel Tovar this morning after he went nuts at La Casa de las Gorditas restaurant in the perilous Southmost subdivision. Was it bad chili? Who klnows?... - Chuck Schwanitz

He Sorta Looks Like John Wood...

Among the many candidates for Governor of New York is one Jimmy McMillan, shown in photo. Jimmy represents the "Rent Is 2 Damn High Party." On that note, we christen Cameron County Judge wannabe John Wood as the "Tacos Are 2 Damned Cheap Party" candidate... - Ricardo Klement

Reading Material...

Novel takes readers on a ride aboard a runaway stagecoach. Can there really be love at every stop?... - Ricardo Klement

Foreign Cash Flows To GOP...

The Republican Party is having a devil of a time explaining the influx of millions of dollars in cash from donors foreign countries... - Ricardo Klement

Breakfast In Harlingen...

We'd heard much, much about Las Cazuelas restaurant in Harlingen, so we headed out for breakfast Tuesday morning thinking today's a good day for Huevos Rancheros. In the company of my loyal Blogger M, I settled into a booth and enjoyed a superb breakfast that came with black coffee and warm tortillas. M had a bacon & egg taco, with coffee. We were there about an hour shortly after ten ayem. Rosa, the raven-haired lady working the cash register, is a charmer. She wanted to know how I could possibly know her name. I told her I'd asked our waitress... - Patrick Alcatraz

Winter Reading...

A man goes out for a cup of coffee and lands in a border cantina. Nothing ever goes as expected in this up & down tale... - Sam Donaldson

The Schoolteacher...

Pharr police say Jose Antonio Esqueda, a 37-year-old teacher at Crockett Elementary School in McAllen, molested his 7-year-old relative in early July and willingly turned himself in for arrest on Wednesday... - Meliton Brown

The Latest Tea Party Hypocrite...

Republican Senate hopeful Christine O'Donnell, a Teabagger, spews high morals. The single, 41-year-old seeking the Delaware seat has no need for masturbation or men, although she admits to doing a few dudes in college. Oh, and her sister is a flaming Lesbian - and, yeah, there's something wrong with that!... - Ricardo Klement

In Border Culinary News...

Publicity-hungry residents of the dusty bordertown today designated Tacos as the Official Food of Brownsville, Texas... - Ray Bones, Freelancer

Weekend Jailbreak...

Mexican officials say 86 prisoners being held in a Reynosa jail escaped this past weekend. More than three dozen jail employees have been taken into custody... - Ricardo Klement

The Ugly American...

The leader of a Florida church that espouses anti-Islam philosophy says he will go through with his plan to burn copies of the Koran on Sept. 11, despite pressure from the White House, religious leaders and American generals. The Rev. Terry Jones of the Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville doesn't give a damn... - Ricardo Klement

Your Public Servants...

Harlingen City Commissioner Kori Marra lists this as her education on Loopnet.com: University of Texas at Austin Certified Residential Specialst (Top 4% of Realtors in the Nation) Accredited Buyers Representative... - Juan Jones

Murder of Lydia Pinal...

Francisco Pinal was bad news, or so said his family members. Torn by his wife's decision to divorce his ass, Francisco went looking for his wife yesterday afternoon. And when he found her, he shot Lydia Pinal, her mother and another woman at a residence in dusty Rio Grande City. In typical Chicano fashion, Francisco capped his killing spree by driving home to kill himself... - Ricardo Klement

My Blue Heaven...

Republican Is Gay...

Kenneth Mehlman: "It's taken me 43 years to get comfortable with this part of my life. Everybody has their own path to travel, their own journey. I've told my family, and they've been wonderful. It's something I wish I had done years ago." Mehlman was chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2005 to 2007... - Rey Buckingham

Ah, Wells Fargo...

Earlier this year, federal prosecutors in Miami charged Wachovia Bank with repeatedly failing to report possible money-laundering activity by money-transfer firms from Mexico that used the bank. Some of the more than $370 billion wired to Wachovia from Mexico bought planes here that were used to transport drugs. Wells Fargo, which owns Wachovia, immediately entered into a deferred prosecution agreement and paid the federal government $160 million in fines... - Juan Gonzalez, NY Daily News

Young Cougar...

Rancho Viejo police arrested a 19-year-old woman for having sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old male, according to a probable cause affidavit. Cops identified her as Rebecca Jael Ruiz, a friend of the boy's family... - Juan Jones

Illicit Massage...

Weslaco Police have issued a warrant for a 50-year-old man alleged to have raped a woman in her home. A 33-year-old housewife told the fuzz she accepted a friend’s offer to let her husband help relieve leg pain through massage. The masseur treated her initially in the presence of his wife. Later, when he arrived without the wife, he is said to have started the massage, moved too close to her private area, and eventually forced himself on her. The victim reported the rape to police that same day. Cops identified the suspect as Julio C. Perez of Mercedes... - Tony Chapa, Reporting for The Tribune

Ah, Those Jews...

Well, this was inevitable, what with Israel's political situation, and the existence of Facebook: a former Israeli soldier has posted some photos of herself posing with blindfolded Palestinians, for kicks. Mini-Abu Ghraib?... - Juan Jones

Death in the Afternoon...

An off-road truck plowed into a crowd during the running of the California 200 yesterday, killing eight people and leaving 12 injured... - Doyle May

Drama In Harlingen...

The frail mother of 17-year-old Reynaldo Gonzalez appeared before the Harlingen City Commission Wednesday to decry the failure of the city's police department to properly investigate her son's mysterious death. Maria del Socorro Gallegos was accompanied by local private eye Joe Rubio, who blasted what he says was a sloppy, cursory HPD probe. Rubio said he hopes the woeful investigation had nothing to do with the fact that the woman (identified as Tessa Estrada) alleged to have run over the young man is the niece of HPD Capt. Michael Kester... - Jerry "News" Deal, Reporting forThe Tribune

Alleged Child Fondler...

South Padre Island cops have arrested Michael Thomas Danks, of Harlingen, on a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a friend's 4-year-old child. - Ricardo Klement

Gunfire in Harlingen...

Two murdered in downtown hit, one suspect arrested in nearby San Benito. - Juan Jones

Death, It Will Be...

And so it will be. Brownsville manmonster John Allen Rubio will face death for his part in the bizarre beheading of three children he had with his common law wife. Rubio stood stoically as a judge in Edinburg told him the price for his cowardly crime would be his own pathetic life... - Ricardo Klement

NFL Great Dies...

Jack Tatum, the Pro Bowl safety for the Oakland Raiders best known for his crushing hit that paralyzed Darryl Stingley in an NFL preseason game in 1978, has died of a heart attack. He was 61. - Doyle May

Steinbrenner Dead...

Longtime New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner died early this morning, his family confirmed in a statement. - Doyle May

Those Brit Tabloids...

Anna Chapman, Spy...

The 28-year-old was a savvy Russian secret agent who worked with a network of other operatives before an FBI undercover agent lured her into an elaborate trap at a coffee shop in lower Manhattan. - Gawker

Fear & Loathing in Mexico...

Pledge For Slavery...

Two top Republican presidential contenders were left red-faced Sunday for signing a pledge against same-sex marriage that also suggests black families were stronger during slavery. The idiots: Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann... - The Tribune

Betty Ford Dead...

President Gerald Ford's wife, Betty Ford, the former first lady whose triumph over drug and alcohol addiction became a beacon of hope for addicts and the inspiration for her Betty Ford Center in California, died Friday at age 93... - The Tribune

Murdoch Folds Tabloid...

The scandal sheet known as "The News of The World" will publish its last edition on Sunday, its owner, yellow journalist Rupert Murdoch, said on Friday. This follows wild revelations that the British tabloid hired hackers to tap into telephones of celebrities and families of English soldiers killed in action in Iraq and Afghanistan... - The Tribune

Hacking Newsman Busted...

Contrite Andy Coulson, former communications chief to British Prime Minister David Cameron and ex-editor of News of the World, has been arrested by police investigating phone hacking allegations at the paper. The tabloid was owned by Rupert Murdoch, owner of right-wing sham Fox News... - The Tribune

Spotted In Weslaco...

Gaspar Loya, III, shown in photo above, is wanted on a variety of charges, including failure to register as a sex offender and escaping a Colorado jail. Loya’s criminal history includes murder, indecency with a child, assault, burglary and forgery... - The Tribune

Free To Kill Again...

After a dramatic, month-long trial, accused monster mom Casey Anthony was found not guilty Tuesday of killing her 2-year-old daughter by a Florida jury that wasted no time in reaching their stunning verdict. She will be sentenced on lesser counts (lying to cops) on Thursday... - The Tribune

The Crazies Arrive...

The current field of 2012 GOP presidential candidates is pretty boring. You've got several grouchy old men, a pizza magnate, and a walking anal sex joke. So why not a white supremacist? Sure, the GOP has noted xenophobes like Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul, but they lack the panache of an openly racist candidate. But that could soon change, as 1990s throwback David Duke prepares to embark on a tour of 26 states to feel out his chances of putting the "white" back in the White House... - The Tribune

Ill-Omened Mexican Bravado...

Again, Mexican drug cartel thugs are threatening Americans. In Chihuahua, they painted signs on bridge overhangs promising to "chop off the fucking heads" of U.S. Authorities. "According to the information we have received, the Zetas are planning a possible surge in criminal activity, such as robberies, extortions, car-jackings and vehicle theft, specifically against U.S. citizens," DPS Director Steven McCraw said in a statement... - The Tribune

New Brownsville Website...

Armed with the promise of better days, blogger Jerry McHale has launched his latest online venture, BrowntownNews.com. The approach is serious in nature and not what's been seen from him in recent years, McHale says. The town is on edge... - The Tribune

Political Pundit Canned...

Another idiot takes a fall. Mark Halperin said during an appearance Thursday on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" that he thought President Barack Obama "was a dick." The Time magazine editor-at-large was talking about Obama's performance at a White House news conference on Wednesday. MSNBC suspended him indefinitely... - The Tribune

Hansen Caught Cheating...

The National Enquirer is reporting that they've caught Chris Hansen, the "To Catch A Predator" host, cheating on his wife with Kristyn Caddell, a Florida NBC affiliate news reporter twenty one years his junior. Hansen is married with two children and lives in Connecticut... - The Tribune

Texas Stomps On Women...

Its majority-Republican Legislature passed a health care bill this week that would bar the nation's largest abortion provider from receiving any state family funds. The legislation is expected to be signed by Rick Perry at week's end... - The Tribune

Republican McCain A Liar...

A trove of internal Arizona state police documents released by a hacker group last week contains a confidential federal report that contradicts claims by Arizona politicians, including Gov. Jan Brewer and Sen. John McCain, that violence tied to drug trafficking and illegal immigration from Mexico is on the rise in the state... - The Tribune

Judge Quashes Georgia...

In Georgia, Federal Judge Thomas Thrash granted a request to block parts of the law that penalize people who knowingly and willingly transport or harbor illegal immigrants while committing another crime. He also blocked provisions that authorize officers to verify the immigration status of someone who can't provide proper identification... - The Tribune

Cheapest Place To Live...

Yep, it's lovely Harlingen, Texas, down along the ever-struggling Mexican border. A national survey conducted by the Council of Community & Economic Research, a research organization in Arlington, Va., says so. Tough days in town. McAllen placed 4th cheapest... - The Tribune

Gay Marriage OK In NY...

Wild as it may sound to Tea Party types, the Republican-majority New York State Senate voted late Friday in favor of legalizing gay marriages. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo quickly signed the legislation, delivering a significant victory to the gay rights movement and making New York the largest state to permit such unions... - The Tribune

Lust In The Dust...

Today, New Mexican authorities arrested former University of New Mexico President F. Chris Garcia, shown at right, for promoting prostitution. They say Garcia's arrest is part of the Southwest Companions case. Garcia is a 71-year-old political scientist and professor emeritus at UNM. Meanwhile, a 28-year-old New Mexico woman was arrested for attempting to bribe a witness, also connected to the Southwest Companions case... - The Tribune

The Republican Idiot...

He's said to be in the hunt for president flying the Republican flag, but Rick Perry may just be joking. He was in San Antonio, when addressing Hispanic elected officials. A joke he told about how perfect it was to appoint Jose Cuevas to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission because his name sounds like Jose Cuervo - a brand of tequila - fell flat. The word "pendejo" moved across the banquet hall... - The Tribune

Dept. of Border Sex...

He was spotted all over town doing the fabled border handjob. Now, Miguel Santiago Arismendez, 34, is behind bars. McAllen police say the miscreant was seen by numerous women who jogged at city parks, Arismendez forever playing with himself as he watched the runners. Police say he also was identified as the attacker of a woman who reported he knocked her down and held her before fleeing into the night... - The Tribune

The New Americans...

Ah, those immigrant contributions and our pathetic policies. Jose Antonio Vargas, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist shown in photo above, has revealed that he is an undocumented immigrant. Vargas says his Filipino mother brought him to this country and he never left, sort of like so many Italians, Irish and Germans... - The Tribune

The Long, Hot Summer...

Erica Huerta, 21, and Steven Perry, 22, were arrested for engaging in sexual activity for more than a half hour on Treasure Island beach just before sunset on Monday. Treasure Island is near the city of Tampa on Florida's Gulf Coast... - The Tribune

Cartel Leader Nabbed...

Mexican federal police say they have captured one of Mexico's most-wanted drug lords, the alleged leader of the La Familia cartel. Federal security spokesman Alejandro Poire said police arrested Jose de Jesus Mendez Vargas, alias El Chango, or "The Monkey," in the central state of Aguascalientes without firing a shot... - The Tribune

Troops out of Afghanistan..

It's not a huge withdrawal, but President Barack Obama is expected to announce tonight that he is authorizing the departure of some 10,000 troops from Afghanistan. Obama is said to want the troops out by the end of 2012 or early 2013. That would leave close to 70,000 U.S. forces in Afghanistan... - The Tribune

Gay Rumor Haunts Perry...

The skittish Rick Perry camp pondering a run at the presidency is already girding against word that the governor is Gay. Roughly seven years ago, Perry himself addressed the buzz that he and his wife planned to divorce and that he was gay. He denied the rumors and told the Austin American-Statesman at the time that he was the victim of a "smear campaign."... - The Tribune

Ugly People Turned Away...

They're blaming it on a computer virus. BeautifulPeople.com says a virus named "Shrek" helped 30,000 questionable applicants gain entry to its exclusive website. "We got suspicious when tens of thousands of new members were accepted over a six-week period, many of whom were no oil painting," said Greg Hodge, editor of the website... - The Tribune

Mayor's Son Arrested...

Leo Palacios, III, son of Pharr Mayor Leo "Polo" Palacios was busted last Wednesday at the immigration checkpoint south of Falfurrias after agents found 114 lbs. of marijuana in the trunk of his car. Strangely, the mayor, shown in photo above, said this, referring to medicine his son was taking for pancreas problems: "I don’t know if la medicina le vuelve la cabeza o que."... - The Tribune

El Brad Pitt Arrested...

Marco Antonio Guzman, an enforcer for the Juarez Cartel of Mexico, was arrested by federales yesterday. Guzman, who had several aliases including "El Brad Pitt," was captured in the border state of Chihuahua along with two alleged accomplices... - The Tribune

Weiner Resigns...

New York Congressman Anthony Weiner resigned his seat in Congress today, ending what has been a week of scandalous revelations to do with his sexting racy photos of himself to women not his wife. Democrat Weiner represents New York's 9th District, encompassing much of Brooklyn and Queens... - The Tribune

Immigration Museum...

Venerable Ellis Island, long-recognized as destination for European immigrants, will now host the country's all-inclusive newcomer museum. It'll include in-depth histories of all immigrant communities. The new Peopling of America Center will open this Fall... - The Tribune

Dept. Of Big Doings...

This week at the Suvretta House hotel in Saint Moritz, Switzerland, the world's elite powerbrokers gather once again for the annual Bilderberg conference. The Bilderberg Group, which holds meetings all over the world, has previously been responsible for wide scale policy changes such as the formation of the European Union and the Euro currency... - The Tribune

PSJA Teacher Busted...

Teachers like to say they have a tough time with their students. Not all of them, however. PSJA North English teacher Laura L. Lozano, 34, was released on a $5,000 bond from the Hidalgo County Jail on Saturday after being charged Friday in connection with having a sexual relationship with a student... - The Tribune

Republicans In 1st Debate...

They'll swarm to New Hampshire for the first party debate ahead of the 2012 presidential race. Among Republicans not attending tonight's verbal sparring are Rick Perry and Sarah Palin. CNN will broadcast the fray beginning at 7 p.m. CST... - The Tribune

Dept. of Border Sex...

Jose Raul Tobias Maravilla of Edinburg, Texas was making his own latte. Police in McAllen say the 40-year-old was caught masturbating at a local Starbucks. The officer responding to the scene noted that Maravilla had visible wet spots in his briefs near his genital area. When asked to stand and be handcuffed, Maravilla had an erection, wrote the officer in his report... - The Tribune

Male Spousal Abuse...

In Tulsa, police say 19-year-old Amber Hilberling, shown in photo above, pushed her husband out of a 25th floor apartment window. Joshua Hilberling, 23, as expected, died in the fall. The woman, who is 7 months pregnant, had a history of abusing her husband, family members told authorities. She is free on bond... - The Tribune

Hispanic Kids Hit Books...

A higher percentage of young Hispanic adults is finishing high school, and the number attending a two-year college has nearly doubled over the last decade, according to Census data released Wednesday... - The Tribune

GOP Hopeful's Demise...

It was a campaign that fell off the rails early, and today Newt Gingrich's campaign manager and numerous other key aides resigned together, dealing a strong blow to his hopes for the Republican Party's presidential nomination... - The Tribune

Homeless Vets On Rise...

Barely two years ago, there were approximately 131,000 homeless veterans on any given night across the country. Today, the U.S. estimates the number has risen to more than 200,000 homeless veterans. In Los Angeles, an advocacy group has filed a lawsuit against the VA, as it seeks government property for sheltering purposes... - The Tribune

Teacher and Sex...

Tina McCann, a teacher employed by Lake Travis High School in Austin, turned herself in to Fort Worth police after a warrant was issued for her arrest. McCann, shown in photo above, is alleged to have had a sexual affair with one of her students while on a field trip to Cowtown... - The Tribune

D-Day Invasion...

Today is the 67th Anniversary of D-Day, the beginning of battles that eventually led to freeing France from Nazi Germany occupation. On June 6, 1944, U.S. and allies soldiers hit the beaches of France in what came to be known as The Longest Day... - The Tribune

Dr. Kevorkian Dead...

Dr. Jack Kevorkian, a Michigan pathologist who championed a patient's right to die by assisted suicide, died today of natural causes. He was 83. Kevorkian helped 130 people kill themselves, declaring that "dying is not a crime."... - The Tribune

GOP Rep's Twitter Hacked...

He isn't accused of sexting photos of his penis, as was New York Democrat Anthony Weiner, but Republican William G. Batchelder, the Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, had his account hacked by an unknown user. In his case, the hacker sent out pro-liberal messages in ultraconservative Batchelder's name... - The Tribune

Bush, Cheney Targeted...

Ah, that Russellville Middle School in Arkansas. There’s a scandal brewing after it was discovered that this year’s yearbook featured a list of the “Top 5 worst people of all time” that named Adolph Hitler, Osama Bin Laden, Charles Manson, George W. Bush, and Dick Cheney. Kids know something... - The Tribune

No Schools Budget Yet...

It passes today or the Texas Legislature goes into extended Special Session. A filibuster by Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, prevented a vote on a bill that would have allowed Texas to pay public schools $4 billion less than owed under current law. The House passed the bill Sunday night. Today is the Legislature's last day...- The Tribune

Republican Clements Dead...

Bill Clements, who in 1978 became the first Republican elected Texas governor in the years following the American Civil War, died today. He reportedly passed away of natural causes at the UT Southwestern Medical Center Hospital in Dallas. Clements was 94... - The Tribune

The Hotel Maid...

The 32-year-old hotel maid allegedly victimized by Frenchman Dominique Strauss-Khan is a 32-year-old widow from West Africa. Nafissatou Diallo, shown in photo, says IMF chief Strauss-Kahn attacked her in a ritzy New York hotel without warning as she cleaned his hotel room, and also forced her to perform oral sex. Strauss-Kahn is under house arrest, free from jail on a $1 million cash bond... - The Tribune

Republican Aide Arrested...

Gabrielle Jane Nestande, shown in photo, was charged Saturday in connection with a hit-and-run fatality that took the life of a 30-year-old Austin woman. Nestande is an aide to state Rep. Wayne Christian, R-Center, and former intern for Gov. Rick Perry’s re-election campaign. She has been charged with failure to stop and render aid, a third-degree felony. The 23-year-old Nestande posted bond and was released... - The Tribune

Women Revolt In Austin...

It was a rough, rough day for men yesterday at the State Capitol. Lawmakers got it from State Rep. SenfroniaThompson, who angrily denounced a general atmosphere of sexism in the House. Rep. Carol Alvarado, also a Democrat from Houston, said, "We have had almost 50-plus amendments and or bills come across the floor this session that I think have demeaned women." Republican firebrand Rep. Debbie Riddle, of Tomball, blasted a few of her male colleagues for openly watching porn online while doing the state's business... - The Tribune

Jose, Ozzie Canseco Injured...

The notorious Canseco Brothers, superstars of the fledgling North American Baseball League, are out indefinitely. Ozzie was the first Canseco to go down in the Yuma Scorpions' season opener Tuesday night against the Calgary Vipers, as he strained his left quadriceps in the fifth inning trying to leg out an infield single. Then came Jose, who left the second game of the doubleheader with a left biceps strain after swinging during his at-bat in the bottom of the first. The Scorpions lost the first game 9-5 and rebounded to take the second one 5-2.. - The Tribune

Shocker In New York...

Democrat Kathy Hochul, shown in photo above, whipped Republican opponent Jane Corwin in Tuesday's New York Congressional District 26 election. The victory is the first by a Democrat in that district, which once belonged to former Buffalo Bills QB and later U.S. Congressman Jack Kemp... - The Tribune

Top U.S. Science Students?...

A study conducted by the National Foundation for American Policy found that 70 percent of the finalists in the 2011 Intel Science Talent Search competition - also known as the "Junior Nobel Prize" - were the children of immigrants even though only 12 percent of the U.S. population is foreign-born... - The Tribune

Tornado Hits Joplin, Mo....

The latest body count following the devastating tornado that struck Joplin, Mo. stands at 116, with hundreds more injured. It is the highest death total resulting from a tornado in the U.S. since 1947... - The Tribune

Texas Passes Bully Law...

The Texas Senate has approved a bill designed to crack down on bullying in public schools. The new law gives administrators and schoolboards more power to deal with the problem... - The Tribune

State Budget By Saturday...

They're going up until the last minute. House and Senate budget-writers tied up the last of the loose ends on the 2012-13 state budget compromise today with the aim of a final floor vote in both chambers probably on Saturday... - The Tribune

High Noon In Austin...

Today begins the last week of the 82nd Texas Legislature's session, with lawmakers yet to decide on a state budget that will carry the Lone Star State for the next two years. Decisions on funding for Education will draw noisy debate, as well... - The Tribune

Fox News Boss: Palin Stupid...

He's an ultra-conservative, but FOX News chairman Roger Ailes thinks Tea Party maven Sarah Palin is toast. "Roger is worried about the future of the country," says a close friend of the Fox honcho. "He thinks Palin is an idiot. He thinks she's stupid. He helped boost her up. People like Sarah Palin haven't elevated the conservative movement."... - The Tribune

House, Senate Pass New Maps...

Meeting on a hot & muggy Saturday in Austin, members of the House and Senate today gave final okays to each other’s redistricting maps. They will now go to Republican Gov. Rick Perry for approval. Democrats have been gearing up challenges via lawsuits that would be ruled-on by the federal courts... - The Tribune

Dark Day In Texas...

The Republican-led Legislature has settled on a budget for the next 2 years: $80.6 billion. No new taxes. Instead, they've made massive cuts to all levels of state government, including public schools and health care for the disabled, elderly and poor. Layoffs coming... - The Tribune

Women Take Republican Hit...

It's signed and ready to enforce. Texas Republican Gov. Rick Perry has signed the so-called Sonogram Law, anti-abortion legislation that requires a woman to get a sonogram before getting an abortion. With a few exceptions, a doctor will have to perform a sonogram at least 24 hours before the scheduled abortion and, if the woman agrees, make the image available for viewing. The law goes into effect in 30 days... - The Tribune

Wildfires? What Wildfires?...

He cried and cried to the federal government when Texas needed funds to fight wildfires a few weeks ago. Now, Gov. Rick Perry and Republicans in the State Legislature are slashing $34 million from the Texas Forest Service's budget. Lawmakers know that the volunteer fire departments funded by the agency were responsible for fighting wildfires in the midst of a historic wildfire season in which some 2.5 million acres have burned... - The Tribune

Sanctuary Bill Derailed...

For the moment, the so-called Sanctuary Bill sought by Republicans in the Legislature is dead. State Sen. Juan Hinojosa submitted an amendment to the bill sponsored by State Rep. Burt Solomon of Carrollton which largely gutted a proposal that would prohibit cities, counties and other governmental entities or special districts from adopting policies that prevent law enforcement from asking persons lawfully detained or arrested if they are in the country legally... - The Tribune

Brit Band Trashes Queen...

Frontman Morrissey of the popular English rock band The Smiths has harsh words for the UK's royal crown. Says he in a recent interview with the Brit press: "The very existence of the Queen and her now enormous family - all supported by the British taxpayer whether the British taxpayer likes it or not - is entirely against any notion of democracy, and is against freedom of speech. For a broad historical view of what the Queen is and how she rules, examine Gaddafi or Mubarak, and see if you can spot any difference." Ouch!... - The Tribune

The Alleged Molester...

Funny-haired Jose Eliazar Zuniga, shown in photo above, is in custody after Harlingen cops arrested him on charges of sexually assaulting a child. The 43-year-old allegedly performed his wanton deeds for a year. Bonds on the charges were set at $300,000... - The Tribune

Fathered Maid's Child...

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a Republican, has admitted that he fathered a child with a member of his household staff, a revelation that prompted wife Maria Shriver to leave the couple's home before they announced their separation last week... - The Tribune

Voter ID Passes Senate...

It now goes to Perry for his signature before becoming law. Today's vote in the Republican-heavy Texas Senate was 98-46. The Senate already approved the report from the committee of House members and senators that had gathered to reconcile differences over the measure... - The Tribune

IMF Head Busted in NY...

A hotel maid ID'd 62-year-old Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the French chief of the International Monetary Fund, in a police lineup on Sunday night, confirming to cops that he's the naked pervert who sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan hotel... - The Tribune

Whopper Out Of Iraq...

As the remaining U.S. troops are pulled out of Iraq, they'll be taking some cultural icons back to the states: Burger King, Pizza Hut, Subway and Cinnabon are leaving the country, too... - The Tribune

Gasoline Hits $4 A Gallon...

The calendar says it's not even the Summer vacation season, when many Americans hit the road, but gasoline at the pump already is at the $4-a-gallon range in most large cities. Experts say it may reach $5 by Labor Day... - The Tribune

Internet Shoppers Get Hit...

Buying something online? Be prepared to pay sales taxes. The Texas Senate has joined the House in passing a measure aimed at tightening the state’s rules on when online businesses must collect sales tax. It now goes to Perry for final signature...- The Tribune

Suicide In La Joya...

Hidalgo County Pathologist Dr. Norma Jean Farley has ruled the death of La Joya Police Chief Jose Del Angel a suicide. City police found him early Friday morning in a police cruiser with a gunshot wound to the chest. Authorities, however, are still investigating the death. The lawman was 44... - The Tribune

It's A Go For Sanchez...

Retired Army General Ricardo Sanchez will seek the U.S. Senate seat now held by Republican Kay Bailey Hutchinson. Sanchez, 59, anounces today. He was raised in the Rio Grande Valley and lives in San Antonio. No Republican has thrown his hat in the ring for the job... - The Tribune

President Calls Out GOP...

Labeling Republicans as obstructionists on immigration, President Barack Obama used a visit to El Paso to say the border remains secure. "Maybe they'll need a moat," he said of the GOP members in Congress. "Maybe they'll want alligators in the moat."... - The Tribune

Hasta La Next One, Baby...

After 25 years of Hollywood marriage, former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and his wife, Maria Shriver, have decided to split. Both went public with the announcement yesterday. Arnold is a Republican and Maria a scion of the Kennedy family... - The Tribune

Lawmakers Can Pack Heat...

Was there any doubt? Fearful Republicans strong-armed the Texas Legislature to pass a bill allowing them to carry guns at church, the hospital, a sporting event or even bars. The Bill passed 25-6. It would add all elected statewide officials, and former legislators, to the list of people exempt from concealed handgun laws that prohibit carrying guns at these locations... - The Tribune

Mr. Tex-Mex TV Dinners...

Louis Herbert Stumberg, shown in photo above, died last week in San Antonio. He is credited with inventing the Tex-Mex TV dinner while president of Patio Foods. He was 87... - The Tribune

President In Austin...

A fundraiser brings President Barack Obama to Austin tomorrow. The one-day trip may or may not include a visit with secessionist Gov. Rick Perry, a Democrat-turned-Republican... - The Tribune

Summer Reading...

Happy-go-lucky cowboy Thomas McLaid rides hard across the harsh American West as if some modern-day Conquistador. Women jump at him in Colorado bars and New Mexico nightclubs, so much so that he feels he is carrying the weight of Man on his back, which, as happens, does find itself atop sagging motel beds from Santa Fe to Central City in the High Rockies. Wheelhouse romance at its best. Available at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com... - The Tribune

Price Of Oil Drops...

Cheaper gasoline is coming to the gas pump. An oil correction is underway, as the price moves toward what fundamental economic factors - true supply and demand - dictate it should be. For American consumers strapped with weeks of rising gasoline prices, a bit of a break is finally at hand... - The Tribune

A Cleaner Harlingen...

There are those who want to spiff-up dusty Harlingen, and then there are those who do something about it. Grateful City Commissioners recently thanked members of the "Beyond Limits Car Club" for volunteering during the "Neighborhood Cleanup" held in mid-April. Shown in pink shirt at right is Commissioner Jerry Prepejchal... - The Tribune

Man Rapes Male...

Funny-haired Juan Manuel Almanza, 35, shown in photo above, is behind bars in Cameron County after police nabbed him on a sexual assault charge stemming from a complaint filed by a 17-year-old boy. The teenager said he met the accused shortly before midnight on Tuesday and then found himself in Almanza's bed, where the suspect is alleged to have had his way with the teenager. Almanza is being held on a $50,000 bond... - The Tribune

No Fed Cash For Texas...

Republican Gov. Rick Perry has been whining about not getting funding from the government he hates to fight the state's raging wildfires. FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Racusen today said federal assistance already has been provided to Texas through grants for response activities... - The Tribune

The Braggadouche...

He's acting stupid again. Failed, stumpy Blogger Tony "The Harlingen Hemorrhoid" Chapa again accuses us of posting our own comments. It's Saturday. We were out and about this morning, yes, but we're here. And I do use a laptop, which, he may not know, can be used to post from anywhere on the planet. But it looks like the unemployed dwarf is needing attention again. Poor wife... - Editor

Report Downs Airline...

It wanted to offer flights into two of drug war-ravaged Mexico's most dangerous cities, Tampico and Monterrey - and it wanted to do it with City of Brownsville money. Not happening, boys. The Brownsville Economic Development Commission apparently was not swayed to okay a $500,000 start-up request Fly Frontera had sought ahead of beginning service. The BEDC labeled the airline company's assets as being "abysmal," which means it did not have the bucks to make the business fly... - The Tribune

Bribery Case Unfolds...

Then there was Solis. Former State Rep. Jim Solis, shown in photo above with his wife, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Brownsville. He is alleged to have bribed ex-404th District Judge Abel C. Limas in exchange for favorable rulings in two civil lawsuits before Limas’ court. Solis will be sentenced August 1. He offered no comment after the court appearance... - The Tribune

Cowboys Draft...

As their Top Pick in the First Round, they went for an offensive tackle. Tyron Smith of USC gets to help protect Dallas QB Tony Romo next season... - The Tribune

Bad Day For Teachers...

It'll now be easier to fire teachers. A Texas Senate bill authored by Republican Sen. Florence Shapiro, of Plano, approved today creates a teacher evaluation system based on the effectiveness and quality of public school teachers. More controversial is a provision that would allow schoolboards to evaluate teachers, and possibly fire them without giving them a reason... - The Tribune

The Killer In Me...

McAllen police busted 42-year-old Andres Garcia, shown in photo above, on charges of contracting a hit on his wife and stepdaughter. "I have the funds. Find me someone to kill (them)," Garcia told a would-be killer. "I am tired of (wife) and I’m going to kill them. Find me someone to kill them or get me some guns."... - The Tribune

The Dogged Bibleman...

Harlingen Blogger Tony Chapa, shown in photo above, is almost done publishing the entire Bible on MyHarlingenNews.com. Perhaps speaking more to the region's religion than to Chapa's woeful news acumen, the Blog's readers have steadily declined. Most have moved on, while Chapa languishes... - The Tribune

Redistricting To Senate...

The Texas House approved its much-debated redistricting map last night, with Democrats saying the lines are not representative of the population shifts identified by the 2010 federal Census. The Bill now goes to the Texas Senate for debate... - The Tribune

Texas Tackles Trafficking...

Republican State Attorney General Greg Abbott came out strong today against the rising incidence of human trafficking. Texas legislators are listening. About 30 bills are now before the state legislature. All of them aim to strengthen current laws with bi-partisan support... - The Tribune

With The 1st Selection...

There's been much talk about a player lockout and the possibility of no pro football in 2011, but the league's annual draft is still set for tonight (Thursday) on ESPN, beginning at 8 p.m... - The Tribune

Guns On Campus...

It's back on the table. That stalled controversial bill that would allow concealed-handgun licensees to pack their pistols inside the buildings at state colleges and universities has made a surprise return - as an amendment to a higher education bill... - The Tribune

Cheap College Degree...

Republican Gov. Rick Perry has floated the idea of a college education that would cost students no more than $10,000. Now, Texas Education Commissioner Raymund Paredes, shown in photo above, says elements of a low-cost bachelor’s degree could include online classes, open-source electronic textbooks, courses of varying length and a carefully structured curriculum with few options for electives... - The Tribune

About Puppy Mill Bill...

It will have no effect on the many side-of-the-road puppy sales in the Valley. The bill passed by the Texas House last night requires licensing and other rules for dog and cat breeders and dealers who have 11 or more adult females to breed. You have one dog, or 10, breeding and you're okay... - The Tribune

China Tops USA...

That fear of financial disaster coming out of Washingston, D.C.? It's real. According to the latest International Monetary Fund official forecasts, China's economy will surpass that of America in real terms in 2016 - just five years from now. The U.S. dollar is losing ground. China's economy continues to explode... - The Tribune

Local Baseball...

The McAllen Thunder, aside from ripping-off the name of the NBA's Oklahoma franchise, is having trouble signing players. To date, the latest North American Baseball League squad has only one player under contract. Team officials say upcoming tryouts will fill the roster. Look for your unemployed neighbor at your front door. He'll be asking to borrow your son's glove... - The Tribune

Making The Rounds...

He doesn't say much in public and isn't often seen mingling with residents, but City Manager Carlos Yerena recently visited Dr. Rodriguez Elementary School on Harlingen's northwest side to talk to students about city government. Yerena is shown in Mrs. Alvarado's third grade classroom... - The Tribune

El Malo del Barrio...

Alvaro Ramirez Avalos, of Harlingen, is behind bars on allegations he sexually molested a 13-year-old girl he befriended through the girl's older sister. The 21-year-old alleged fondler is shown in photo above... - The Tribune

Poor Women Get Aid...

Fearful of seeing Texas women completely abandoned, the state senate has cleared a budget that would keep funding family planning. The money that the House slashed earlier helps needy women get physical exams, birth control pills and tests for sexually transmitted infections, as well as other health disorders... - The Tribune

Summer Lunch...

He hasn't done much of any consequence this legislative session, but State Sen. Eddie Lucio of Brownsville is out to help kids attending summer school. Lucio, a Democrat, introduced a bill to push for inclusion of summer school under the federally-funded free lunch program. It will be heard in the House of Representatives this coming week... - The Tribune

Macheteman Surfaces...

Alberto Reyna, shown in police photo above, allegedly took his machete and stabbed victim Roel Rocha to death last week in Pharr. The 29-year-old accused butcher surrendered yesterday after 3 days on the lam. He is behind bars on a $1.5 million dollar bond... - The Tribune

Sunday Comics...

Troubled Cities Merging...

Perhaps we should have seen it coming. Officials in Michigan, Indiana, New Jersey, California and other states are considering municipal mergers, which some see as the only way to preserve services amid a historic economic downturn. Would Harlingen merge with San Benito and have one City Hall, one police department and unified city services?... - The Tribune

The Highway of Death...

Interesting story in today's Washington Post about Mexico's Highway 101 (shown in map above). The newspaper cites the recent killings along this stretch and quotes Robert Avila of Dallas as saying this: "I waited almost two days in Brownsville, reading the newspapers, watching the news, trying to get up the courage to cross the border and come down." His parents live in Ciudad Victoria... - The Tribune

McAllen's Union Showdown...

McAllen police and firefighters want more money. Contract negotiations between the two unions and the City of McAllen have become ridiculous. While trying to manage expenses, the City of McAllen has incurred a $345,000 legal bill defending against union lawsuits, including a libel and defamation suit filed against Mayor Richard Cortez by the police union’s president... - The Tribune

Woman Walks Free...

They tried her on charges of masterminding the vicious stabbing of her ex-boyfriend, but she walked free today when a jury said she was not guilty. Guadalupe de Acuña, 38, shown in photo above, was on trial in connection with the murder of 37-year-old Jose Fiscal, her boyfriend at the time. Cops said he was stabbed as many as 45 times in an altercation near Donna Lakes in Hidalgo County. Prosecutors said they were stunned by the verdict. Police ID'd the killer as Juan Salazar, who was convicted earlier... - The Tribune

Pols On Easter Break...

The Texas Legislature adjourned for the Easter Weekend this afternoon without taking action on a number of bills, including whether to increase the size of kindergarten classrooms and whether to give school district officials more leeway in hiring and firing teachers. Legislators return on Tuesday... - The Tribune

The Internet & Love...

Find your honey online? Or think you may have? Think again. Legislative Bills are pending in Connecticut, Texas and New York to provide more information to customers about the pitfalls of using the Internet to line up dates. Date rape is real fear, say women... - The Tribune

Quick Citizenship...

Military service has long been one route to U.S. citizenship. Now the Army and Navy, in need of specialists and language skills in wartime, are speeding things up by allowing recruits to wrap up the process while they're still in basic training.... - AP

The Killing Fires...

Texas has lost two firefighters battling those runaway blazes out west. Elias Jacquez, of Cactus, died Wednesday, 11 days after he was critically injured fighting a massive fire about 40 miles north of Amarillo. The other fireman's name was Gregory M. Simmons of Eastland, who died Friday while fighting a fire near his hometown west of Fort Worth... - The Tribune

Blog Of The Day...

Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio likes to humiliate his prisoners. Now he has started a contest where residents of his Maricopa County can vote on the worst "mug" photo of his inmates. You can check it out and presumably vote at: "www.mcso.org/mugshot." That's DUI inmate Rodrigo Aguilar-Flor of Phoenix in photo above. Cameron County should do this... - The Tribune

Morning Murder In Pharr...

An early morning stabbing at an apartment complex in Pharr claimed the life of 29-year-old Roel Rocha. Police responded to a building at 115 South Cage Blvd., where officers found Rocha's body shortly after midnight. They have posted an all-points-bulletin for Alberto Reyna, 29, shown in photo above... - The Tribune

Cowboys 2011 Schedule...

Dallas opens on Sept. 11th against the NY Jets in a televised, Sunday night game from the Meadowlands. It'll be the start of a season that has the Boys playing the league's 15th hardest schedule. Interesting games include one on week 6, when they travel to New England to play the Patriots, and a holiday tussle against Miami in Big D on Thanksgiving Day... - The Tribune

Blog Of The Day...

Try "www.TuAbuela.com" for the latest from the worlds of advice, diet, creative home remedies and horoscopes. It's in Spanish, but that's no obstacle for our readers, is it?... - The Tribune

Former BISD Dude Busted...

Brownsville police arrested former Brownsville Independent School District Trustee Richard Zayas yesterday on charges of reckless driving and evading arrest. When stopped, Zayas acknowledged he'd "screwed up" by driving against traffic, the police report said. He was taken to the city jail and arraigned on the charges... - The Tribune

Harlingen Mommy...

You apparently cannot bust Elizabeth Valdez's son and take him to jail. Cameron County Sheriff’s Department deputies arrested the 35-year-old mother on multiple criminal charges over the weekend, when she arrived at a police substation to ask cops what the Hell they were doing holding her teenage son. He'd failed to dim his vehicle's lights, she was told before she allegedly attacked the cops... - The Tribune

Federal Income Tax Day...

If it's Monday, midnight tonight is the deadline for filing your tax forms with Uncle Sam. We know it can be a traumatic time for some of you. So, in the spirit of community, we direct you to www.PeopleofWalmart.com, where we are sure you will find a free laugh or two... - The Tribune

Buying Green Cards...

Mexican citizen Rosendo Gonzalez, shown at right in photo, sought safety for his drug war-weary family by investing millions in a venture to be based in McAllen. His reward? A green card allowing him to gain U.S. residency. Under the federal EB-5 immigration program, candidates get fast-tracked if they invest a minimum of $500,000 in ventures with the clear prospect of creating jobs. Applicants undergo criminal background checks, and their $500,000 investment is reviewed to make sure it was obtained legally. If foreign investors create 10 jobs within two years, they - along with their spouses and children - get the green cards... - The Tribune

Pancho's Finger...

According to a report by The Associated Press, a slice of Mexican history is for sale here. Border bandit Pancho Villa's finger - or at least a severed and mummified appendage claiming to have been his - is on sale for $9,500 at Dave's Pawn Shop in downtown El Paso... - The Tribune

Murder One...

Edinburg police say Tri-City Bombers Juan Angel Garza Rivera, 25, shown in photo above, and Juan Antonio Albiter, 22, conspired to kill 25-year-old Emilio Cantu, a fellow gangbanger. Cantu's body was found shot to death near a canal and a burning vehicle Sunday night. The two alleged killers were arraigned on first degree murder today... - The Tribune

The Crooked Judge...

Details surrounding the bribery case against former 404th District Court Judge Abel Limas, who is shown in photo above, tells the gripping story of a man caught in a web of habitual corruption. Evidence and affidavits unsealed today offer a graphic picture of the extent of the judge's illegal actions. Investigators allege he took money from defendants who came before his court for years in exchange for favorable rulings. Earlier, Limas pleaded guilty... - The Tribune

Texas College Students Performing, But Lagging...

"The 2011 Texas Public Higher Education Almanac shows that Texas is on its way to achieving the goals of closing the gaps, but challenges remain. We are doing well in terms of access and participation - enrolling new students - but not so well in terms of student success. Texas higher education continues to improve, but we still lag behind the leading states, and we still have a good distance to travel to assume a position of national and international leadership in higher educational attainment and quality," said Dr. Raymond A. Paredes, Texas Commissioner of Higher Education. The state ranks 34th in student performance when compared to students studying in the nation's other 49 states... - The Tribune

Four-Day School...

State Rep. Ryan Guillen wants to introduce legislation that would look at the possibility of a four-day schoolweek. Guillen, a Democrat representing a district encompassing Starr, Webb, Zapata and Duval counties, says administrators from Rio Grande City public schools approached him with the idea as one way to cut costs... - The Tribune

Politicians Armed...

The Senate Criminal Justice Committee has approved a bill by Republican State Sen. Dan Patrick, of Houston, allowing legislators, statewide elected officials, some former legislators and some state employees to carry concealed weapons in bars, churches and hospitals and at sporting events and other places they currently are not allowed - even in businesses where signs clearly say guns are prohibited. Patrick notes he believes elected officials are easy targets for assassins. The Bill now goes to the full senate for debate... - The Tribune

School Employee Cuts...

Faced with the very real prospect of joining a slew of school districts losing state funding because of the massive budget deficit, Harlingen school officials have approved a plan submitted by Superintendent Dr. Steve Flores that has 100 employees leaving the district's payroll. According to Flores, shown in photo above, the action will save HCISD about $4.2 million. Among those lost are 70 professional employees and 30 hourly workers who will get $7,000 per person, or 20 percent of their gross salary, whichever is less. All reportedly volunteered their resignations... - The Tribune

Veterans And Insomnia...

Know a veteran who can't sleep? They're suffering. Sleep disorders are a common problem among veterans, says the National Pain Foundation, and many of the symptoms they suffer - including nightmares, chronic insomnia, sleep apnea, severe snoring, restless leg syndrome and sleep cycle disturbances - are thought to be caused by Post Traumatic Stress Disorders. One out of five veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan suffers from it, the National Veterans Foundation reports, and only half of them ever seek treatment... - The Tribune

Hinojosa As State Chairman...

He's controversial locally, but former Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa may end up being the new State Chairman for the Democratic Party. His name has quickly emerged as the front-runner. Hinojosa, a longtime officeholder in Cameron County (he’s been a county judge, a district judge and an appeals judge) is now the county’s Democratic chairman. He is also on the executive committee of the Democratic National Committee... - The Tribune

Texas Bans Road Spikes...

Chalk one up for the cops. State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, won approval of Senate Bill 1416, which allows police to file state jail felony charges against anyone using a caltrop, road spike strip or any other device designed to puncture a vehicle’s tires. Outlaws have been using it to disable pursuing law enforcement vehicles. The penalty will be 6 months to 2 years in jail, plus a fine of as much as $10,000... - The Tribune

More Charter Schools...

The Texas Senate's Education Committee has approved plans for 10 more charter schools. Current law limits the number of charter schools to 215. The Texas Legislature authorized charter schools in 1995 to operate with fewer legal restrictions than regular public schools to allow for innovation... - The Tribune

Party In Alamo City...

Need your fix of great mariachi and Tejano sounds? Fiesta San Antonio is underway. It runs through April 18 and includes a variety of exhibits, parades and carnivals... - The Tribune

Mexican Cartels Targeting & Killing Children...

According to U.S. and Mexican officials, competing criminal groups appear to be killing children to terrorize the population or prove to rivals that their savagery is boundless, as they fight over local drug markets and billion-dollar trafficking routes to consumers in the U.S. ... - The Tribune

Clear & Present Danger...

Succinct message from the U.S. Consulate in Matamoros: "From late March to early April, the Consulate received three reports from American Citizens or their families regarding inter-city buses being boarded by criminals. In at least one instance, male bus passengers, including an American citizen, were forcibly removed from those buses and have yet to be located. The Consulate General strongly encourages those American Citizens considering travel through Tamaulipas by bus, as well as by automobile, to keep these risks in mind."... - The Tribune

Son Of Vietnam...

Mario Ybarra, Jr. of McAllen hardly knew his dad. His father, Mario Ybarra, was killed in 1966 while serving with the U.S. Marine Corp in the jungles of Vietnam. It happened eight days before young Ybarra’s first birthday. Now, the son is making a documentary film about his father, who was barely 22 when he died. The photo shows his father's casket, and that's the kid standing in front of it... - The Tribune

Late Night Deal...

Finally. Congress and the White House barely beat the clock late last night and averted a partial government shutdown, agreeing to a last-minute deal to cut at least $38.5 billion from federal spending... - The Tribune

Horror In Matamoros!...

Death-weary Mexican officials say they have unearthed 72 bodies from a mass gravesite near the Tamaulipas town of San Fernando. Once more, the blame is lapped on cruel and heartless drug cartel thugs. In photo above, bagged bodies are carted off a refrigerated 18-wheeler at a morgue in Matamoros... - The Tribune

No Guns On Campus...

They all said it would be a slam dunk in trigger-happy Texas. But a bill that would require Texas colleges and universities to allow guns on campus was postponed due to a lack of support yesterday in the State Senate... - The Tribune

Murder-For-Hire II...

Vanessa Garcia, 28, of Mission, stands accused of having her husband killed. Garcia allegedly paid $20,000 to a group of men to kill her husband, 28-year-old Reyes Garcia, who was gunned down June 23 during a home invasion. Police are also looking for her sister in connection with the crime... - The Tribune

Murder Update...

Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio says the husband of a Rio Hondo ISD teacher killed last week had taken out a life insurance policy valued at about $120,000 prior to her death. Lucio said the department also recovered the weapon believed to have been used in the alleged murder-for-hire. The Perez family, with husband Julio Cesar and his wife Sonia, at lower left, and their two daughters, is shown in happier days... - The Tribune

U.S. Government Shutdown...

Unless Congress acts on the federal budget by Friday, a shutdown of the government could delay social security claims and social security card issuing. The last time the government shut down, well, 800,000 toll-free calls went unanswered. National parks and a host of government agencies would also close... - The Tribune

Thought For The Day...

"None of what the House did matters. This will go to court and a judge will force the government to do its job. Then, the legislature will respond by raising taxes and proclaiming liberal trial lawyers and activist judges are to blame. It is the end game of this bunch of nitwits that own our state now..." - A savvy commenter addressing the Republican-led Legislature's budget cuts on the Austin American-Statesman's website.

Helicopter Prey...

Pro-hunting lawmakers in the Texas House of Representatives have okayed hunting of feral hogs and coyotes from helicopters. The Bill's sponsor, Republican State Rep. Sid Miller of Stephenvile, says Texas’ estimated one to four million feral hogs cause $400 million in damage a year. Texans currently can pay a contractor to hunt hogs from a helicopter over their land. Today's bill would allow landowners to sell seats on helicopters to hunt the creatures, potentially making a profit. The legislation also lists coyotes as fair game... - The Tribune

This Is It!...

The NCAA's March Madness tournament season comes to a close tonight, when the scrappy Butler Bulldogs meet the tough UConn Huskies in the Final Four championship game in Houston. UConn, led by All-World guard Kemba Walker, is favored... - The Tribune

Murdered Schoolteacher...

Rio Hondo ISD teacher Sonia Perez, shown in photo, was gunned down last week in what the Cameron County Sheriff's Office is saying was a murder-for-hire killing. Her husband and two other men have been arrested in connection with the alleged crime... - The Tribune

Election 2012 Underway...

The campaign for the White House begins early as President Obama kicked off his re-election bid early today with a campaign video featuring "ordinary folks." The president does not have a Republican challenger yet, although pundits point to former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney as the odds-on favorites to be the GOPs choice... - The Tribune

Prison Employees Hit...

Prison employees who have been living in rent-free housing will now have to pay rent. The housing program last year lost $900,000, prison officials acknowledged. Those taking the freebie included prison officials and guards. Legislators looking to cut state expenses say, "No more."... - The Tribune

Men In Heels...

It's for a good cause. The Mexican-American studies program at South Texas College in McAllen and Mujeres Unidas, a non-profit women’s advocacy organization, have partnered to host "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," an event aimed at promoting domestic violence awareness month. It kicks off Tuesday morning at STC's Pecan Blvd. campus... - The Tribune

Second Arrest In Limas Case...Limas Was First...

Authorities investigating the stunning bribery case against former 404th District Court Judge Abel Limas of Brownsville have arrested Jose Manuel Longoria, 52, a resident alien from Mexico living in San Benito. He is alleged to have been involved in making calls to the judge's wife related to payoffs in exchange for favorable rulings... - The Tribune

Stop-Gap Budget Passed...

Legislators in the Texas House of Representative have voted on an appropriations bill trimming about $1.5 billion from what state agencies had planned to spend. The Bill now goes to the State Senate... - The Tribune

State Trooper Charged with Abuse of Power In Austin...

Budget Brawl In Austin...

Let the budget battle begin. The Texas House takes up a bill today calling for the state to use billions from the Rainy Day Fund in an effort to keep the state from going broke... - The Tribune

Peanuts & Crackerjacks...

Weather permitting, the New York Yankees will host the Detroit Tigers at 1:00 p.m today in hallowed Yankee Stadium. It's Opening Day!... - The Tribune

New Law For Child Killers...

Wishing to patch a loophole in the law, the Legislature today made it a "capital crime" - a crime in which the penalty would include the death penalty - for killing a child under the age of 10. At present, the death penalty can only be applied to those who kill a child age 6 or under... - The Tribune

No To Synthetic Marijuana...

Production, sale and possession of several new forms of synthetic marijuana will be banned if the Texas House follows the State Senate's action to make this product illegal. The Senate voted in favor of the ban today. Popular brand names available in Texas include Spice, K2, Genie and Fire & Ice... -The Tribune

Buried Next To Freddy?...

He is the best-known figure to come out of San Benito, so why not make a profit off the guy. Word comes that this city is offering burial plots alongside the crooning Tex-Mex rocker for a bit more than other plots in the same cemetery. How much: $2,000 for each of the 27 spaces that flank Fender’s memorial... - The Tribune

No Legalized Gambling...

"There is no support in my committee," said state Sen. Robert Duncan, a Republican from Lubbock. "I just don’t think there are the votes in the Senate. I don’t see any chance of passage." Duncan is State Senate chairman of the oversight committee, with jurisdiction over gambling. His opposition is said to be insurmountable, even as cash-strapped Texas looks for new revenues... - The Tribune

State Income Tax...

Texas is among 7 states, shown in red, that do not have a state income tax. The oft-revered Texas Constitution would have to be amended for passage of such legislation. States shown in yellow tax only dividend and interest income.. - The Tribune

Death Row Lawsuit...

Two Texas prison inmates scheduled to be put to death have filed a lawsuit, saying new drugs to be used in the lethal injection have not been properly cleared. Inmates Cleve Foster and Humberto Leal contend that Texas’ new execution protocol - replacing sodium thiopental with pentobarbital as one of three drugs used in injections - violated the state Administrative Procedures Act... - The Tribune

No Insurance? Say Adios To Your Vehicle...

A bill that would crack down on uninsured, unlicensed drivers is expected to receive approval from a state transportation committee. Legislators spent Monday reviewing the proposal that would allow police to impound a vehicle immediately when drivers fail to produce proof of insurance. Some cities already have such leeway; this bill would make it a statewide law. Police across Texas investigated more than 72,000 accidents last year in which a driver did not have liability insurance, according to Republican State Rep. Charles Schwertner of Georgetown... - The Tribune

Canseco In Boxing Scam?...

Jose Canseco, shown at right in photo, with his brother, Ozzie. They reportedly tried a switch over weekend in Miami, when Jose was supposed to box and Ozzie showed-up. They fooled no one. The scheduled fight with Billy Padden never went down and the Miami Herald reports that Ozzie left the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino escorted by police officers. Canseco played baseball in the Valley last year, when he suited up for the Laredo squad against the RGV Whitewings... - The Tribune

The Vietnam Vet...

Those of us who served in our military during the Vietnam Conflict still carry harsh memories of our service. McAllen's Frank Rodriguez, shown in photo, served in Vietnam with the United States Army from Feb. 1967-68 after he was drafted. Coming to terms with it all is still a heavy weight to carry for 'Nam vets... - The Tribune

Gang Roundup Now At 100...

Hidalgo County's "Operation Street Sweep" has netted 100 criminals, according to Sheriff Lupe Trevino. Concepcion Garcia, shown in photo, is one of them. Trevino said deputies collared various members of prison gangs such as Vallucos TCB and Latin Kings, as well as local street gangs like Loco 13... - The Tribune

KMBH-TV Chief Out...

John Ross, the president and chief executive officer of Harlingen-based KMBH-TV, has resigned. Brenda Riojas, spokeswoman for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brownsville, which owns the controversial station, said Ross’ resignation takes effect April 23. No reason was given for Ross' departure... - The Tribune

No To Texas Sodomy Law...

State Rep. Jessica Farrar, a Democrat from Houston, wants Texas to remove its Sodomy Law from the books. Farrar says it is archaic and could lead to abuse by unsympathetic prosecutors. The law addresses "homosexual conduct" in public. She cites a recent arrest in El Paso where the manager of a taco joint called police on two male customers kissing each other. Cops asked the two lovers to leave the business... - The Tribune

Sex With A 14-Year-Old...

Stunned cops say 39-year-old Flora Christina Martinez-Ibarra, shown in photo above, has been jailed after they investigated allegations she had been having sex with an underage boy. The 14-year-old kid complained to his Mom. It had been going on for months, said the shocked cops... - The Tribune

Highest-Paid Super...

That would be Carrol "Butch" Thomas, shown in photo above, who is superintendent of schools in Beaumont. Thomas is paid $347,834 annually - the most for any Supt. in Texas. His district is small when compared to others in the state, counting barely 20,000 students... - The Tribune

Mexican TV Host Killed...

Reports in El Universal say 33-year-old Jose Luis "La Gata" Cerda, shown in photo, was found dead with his hands tied and several gunshot wounds in the Monterrey suburb of Guadalupe. Mexican cops have no motive for the slaying of the host of the popular entertainment show, El Club... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

They Said She Was Fat...

Domonique Ramirez, the 17-year-old Miss Antonio who was stripped of her title after being told by pageant operators to "lay off the tacos," has been given back her crown. A jury hearing the case decided she was still the queen... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Prisoner College: Big Cost...

So, you think prison schools are free? No, they're not. Texas has had the program for the past 10 years and currently counts more than 14,700 prisoners taking college courses. It's a cushy deal; they pay when they get out. But, as things stand now, they're not paying and this particular group will owe $12.4 million for their higher education... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Chapel Service Today...

Family and friends will hold a chapel prayer service today for former Assistant Cameron County District Attorney Arturo Jose Iniguez. A second autopsy has been performed following his death last weekend in Mexico. According to reports, officials believe he may have taken an overdose of an animal sedative, although a conclusive cause of death has not been determined. The 26-old lawyer's body was found inside an SUV in a commercial district of Matamoros... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Lawyer Plows Into Home...

Well-known attorney Adolfo "Al" Alvarez Jr. was arrested Tuesday on DWI charges after his white 2011 Mercedes-Benz slammed into a McAllen home. City Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said officers detected the smell of alcohol in the errant lawyer... - Rudolf Von Bulow, Reporting for The Tribune

Probation For Bad Judge...

Hidalgo County Justice of The Peace Mary Alice Palacios, shown in photo, was convicted on two counts of official oppression today. Palacios was assessed a $4,000 fine on each count and was placed on probation for a yet-to-be-determined length of time. According to prosecutors, she had been routinely sentencing truant students to jail, a practice the jury said was abuse of power. The sentence also stipulated that she vacate her office... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Mexican Coroner: Suicide...

A Mexican coroner for the State of Tamaulipas has ruled suicide in the weekend death of Cameron Co. Assistant District Attorney Arturo Jose Iniguez. The official cited evidence of poison in the young lawyer's tissue. His body was found inside a vehicle in Matamoros, across the Rio Grande from Brownsville. At the time of his death, Iniguez was 26, married and the father of a 2-year-old daughter. He served District Attorney Armando Villalobos as lead prosecutor of all misdemeanor cases. As per law, a second autopsy will be performed when Iniguez's body is returned to Texas... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor of The Tribune

He Stomps An Old Woman...

Harlingen cops say tattooed Juan Antonio Garza, shown in police mug above, attacked and beat a 62-year-old woman last week. He is also alleged to have stolen her credit cards and gone on a shopping spree. The accused miscreant remains in jail... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Dead In Mexico...

Cameron Co. Asst. D.A. Arturo Jose Iniguez, shown in photo above, was killed in a car accident, his mother said on Monday. Few other details surfaced regarding the strange weekend death of the 26-year-old resident of Rancho Viejo... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Tribune Lounge...

Trouble In New Mexico...

New Republican Gov. Susana Martinez's plan to keep undocumented immigrants from getting driver's licenses was rejected on Friday by the New Mexico Legislature. Extreme agendas not wanted, state senators told her... - Rudolf Von Bulow, Reporting for The Tribune

France, U.S. Hit Libya...

French jetfighters strafed a variety of Libyan anti-aircraft sites while the U.S. launched 110 Tomahawk missiles from warships and submarines. More than 20 targets along the coast of Libya have been hit... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Not Happening...

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives today voted to slash funding for National Public Radio, but its chances with the Senate and White House are non-existent. More useless noise out of the nation's capital... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor of The Tribune

The Face of TREPAC...

Eva-Jean Radle, shown in photo above, is owner of RE/MAX in the Valley and the TREPAC Trustee for Region 11, encompassing South Texas from Victoria to the Rio Grande Valley. According to its website, TREPAC, the Texas Association of Realtor’s political action committee, "is a non-partisan entity devoted to ensuring favorable state government legislation and working conditions for all realtors." This is the outfit that contributed money to Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell's and City Commissioner Kori Marra's political coffers last fall... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

New Death Penalty Drug...

Beginning with its next execution on April 5, Texas will switch to pentobarbital - a harsh surgical sedative and barbiturate commonly used for enthanasia of animals. Prison officials blame a severe shortage of sodium thiopental. Angry Death Penalty opponents say use of the new drug is barbaric and cruel... - Vince Valdez, Reporting For The Tribune

The Molester...

Humberto Casas joins the long, long, long list of Border Machos to fall into police custody on charges of sexually assaulting minors. The 40-year-old McAllen man allegedly fondled two young girls while he was staying at their mother's home... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Radiation Fears In Japan...

Even as rescue and recovery operations continue in the earthquake-ravaged nation, Japan scrambles to issue a radiation alert after explosions at its nuclear plants... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

It's Here!...

This is the first day of less sleep in the morning. Suffer - or enjoy - it until the Fall... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Tribune Video...

Roger Still In...

Roger Ortiz, the controversial Cameron County Elections Administrator whose handling of the last county judge election drew heat, will have to wait until May to see if he keeps his job. The county elections commission tabled acting on his fate Tuesday...Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

PAC Brawl in Harlingen...

"We’re still fighting the same issues. We still have the same substandard housing. We’re not making any progress; we’re stuck in the past because a group of people don’t want us to change, for whatever reason. Perhaps because they are comfortable."...- Kenneth Benton, vice-president of Harlingen Empowered Advocacy Team (HEAT), a political action committee, speaking about an opposing PAC, Harlingen Citizens Leadership Council, Inc. (HCLC) Quoted in a story published by the Valley Morning Star.

Texas Anniversary...

Today marks the 175th anniversary of the signing of the Lone Star State's Declaration of Independence at Washington-On-The-Brazos. Texas would join the union in 1845... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Blow Bush To Smithereens?...

A Saudi national was busted yesterday in a bomb-making plot that targeted the home of Republican George W. Bush. Cops identified the suspect as Khalid Ali-M Aldawsari, 20, a student at South Plains College near Lubbock... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Libya On The Rocks...

The popular uprising against Moammar Kadafi expanded into an oil-rich area of western Libya long considered one of his strongholds, leaving the long-time leader increasingly isolated and in danger of encirclement as he fights for survival... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

The Ugly Republican...

Newt Gingrich’s bed-hopping past got thrust into the limelight at a speech at the University of Pennsylvania last night, thanks to a combative question from a student. “You adamantly oppose gay rights,” the student, the president of Penn Democrats, began. “But you’ve also been married three times and admitted to having an affair with your current wife while you were still married to your second. … How do you reconcile this hypocritical interpretation of the religious views that you so vigorously defend?”... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

So That's Where He's Been...

A.R. "Tony" Sanchez, Jr. has sold his soaring 3,549-square-foot condo on the top floor of the 76-story Metropolitan Tower in New York for $7.8 million, according to city records. The Laredo-based oilman and investor, who was the Democratic candidate for governor in 2002, bought two neighboring units two years before he lost to still-governor Rick Perry. He paid $2.9 million to assemble the five-bedroom, four-full- and two-half-bath spread... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

Harlingen's Great Hope...

Is City Commissioner Robert Leftwich readying a run at the mayorship? It's early, but The Tribune is preparing a profile on the popular commissioner... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor of The Tribune

Dead Agent's Autopsy...

ICE Special Agent Jaime Zapata was shot and killed Tuesday after he was attacked by unknown assailants while driving between Monterrey, Mexico, and Mexico City. Officials in Houston declined to perform an autopsy, sending the body to a federal facility in Dover, DE... - Ricardo Klement, Reporting for The Tribune

As Texas Sinks Under A $27 Billion Deficit, Perry Offers Rosy "State of The State" Address...

Bush Fears Europe...

A planned trip by George W. Bush to speak at the Switzerland-based United Israel Appeal later this week has been canceled after several human rights groups called for Swiss authorities to arrest Bush and investigate him for authorizing torture. Bush has traveled widely since leaving office, but not to Europe, where there is a strong tradition of international prosecutions... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Tribune Lounge...

No Change In Egypt...

A long day of dramatic protests in Cairo changed little yesterday, as embattled Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak held on to his job... - Nick Ryan, Reporting for The Tribune

Clashes In Egypt...

Assorted news reports had it that a number of western reporters had been beaten, some taken into custody. Among them was CNN's Anderson Cooper, who was also beaten yesterday... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Senate Says No To Health Care Repeal...

A Republican drive to repeal the year-old health care law ended in party-line defeat in the Senate on Wednesday, leaving the Supreme Court to render a final verdict on an issue steeped in political and constitutional controversy. The vote was 47-51... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

On Obamacare, Federal Judge's Ruling Is Flawed...

News that U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson had declared Health Reform legislation as being unconstitutional comes with some baggage. Vinson, a Republican appointee, deemed one provision of the law as being unconstitutional, but his ruling declaring all of the bill as being illegal is weak. The provision Vinson noted was the one asking all Americans to buy insurance. Earlier U.S. Supreme Court rulings will sink Vinson's opinion... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor of The Tribune

Old Man Winter Returns...

Temperatures dipped into the teens in central and north Texas this morning. Snow and sleet paralyzed DFW airport in Big D. Evening temps to stay below freezing... - Bob Veracruz, Reporting for The Tribune

Tribune Request Line...

Hell-o, Mexico...

Republican Gov. Rick Perry Damns Federal Money, Then He Takes It...

Texas filled nearly 97 percent of its shortfall last year with Federal stimulus dollars, even as its governor has been sharply critical of "bailout" policies. In the wake of the recession, Texas is one of many states that, contending with diminished revenue, have benefited from Federal support... - Vince Valdez, Reporting for The Tribune

Crazed Shooting In 'Zona...

Blue Dog Democrat Gabrielle Giffords, shown in photo at right, remains in critical condition after being shot in the head while at a public function on Saturday... - Ricardo Klement

The Winter Texan...

Moose Jepson, of Iowa and a winter resident of Harlingen, finds the recent cold spell "just peachy." He swims in the Gulf of Mexico at dawn for kicks... - Kermit Perez

Blizzard Hits Gotham City...

New Yorkers awoke to see the city's public transportation system paralyzed by heavy snow that continues to fall. Postcard images everywhere...- Patrick Alcatraz, Editor

Tribune Christmas Card...

Here's wishing all of those who join us here daily a lovely Christmas Day and a 2010 Holiday Season to remember. It is a special time of the year... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor

Has Anybody Here Seen My Son, John?...

Deborah Parks, shown in photo, tells reporters her son, John, 40, has been missing since Nov. 4. He was last spotted in Matamoros... - Bob Veracruz

He Sold Influence and Tampered With Evidence. Deserved Prison..

Convicted State Rep. Ismael "Kino" Flores, of Palmview, will not serve prison time for criminal ethics violations that tarnished the lengthy and once influential political career of the South Texas Democrat. A sympathetic judge placed him on 5-years probation today... - Ricardo Klement

Texas Guns Going To Mexico...

Bill Carter, 76, has operated four Carter's Country stores in the Houston metro area in the past 50 years, and in the past two years, more than 115 guns from his stores have been seized by Mexican police and military... - Paul Harasim

It Was 30 Years Ago Today...

Beatle John Lennon is remembered in the Big Apple, where he was murdered Dec. 8, 1980 as he entered his home at The Dakota on W. 72nd Street... - Patrick Alcatraz

And Harlingen-Brownsville?

The booming McAllen-Edinburg region apparently does not have much in the way of brainpower. To compile their list of the 200 less-brainy cities in America, "Portfolio" used data from the American Community Survey to correlate average adult earnings with level of educational attainment. The Valley communities ranked 199, beating only Merced, California for the title of dumbest. Boulder, Colo. was listed as the smartest city in the nation... - Vince Valdez

Those Unemployment Blues...

An estimated 2 million Americans may see their unemployment benefits come to an end. To date, applicants who qualify have had 99 weeks of paychecks. Benefits are more than what they would earn in minimum wage jobs, such as flipping Quarterpounders at McDonald's... - Ricardo Klement

The Women of Brownsville...

Cameron County politiqueras arrive at the county courthouse wearing Mervyn's clothing to question recount in county judge's race. Candidate John Wood says he's still in it. Incumbent Carlos Cascos says Wood is dreaming... - Vince Valdez

Black Friday Is Here...

In the Valley, as in the rest of the country, shoppers will mob retail stores looking for big savings in after-Thanksgiving sales. Cold, wild winds will not dissuade Valleyites... - Ricardo Klement

Life & Job On Hold...

Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos paces nervously about his office as he awaits canvassing of the Nov. 2nd election votes. At present, he is losing his job by five votes to Democrat John Wood... - Ricardo Klement

On A Quick Flight To Hell...

Dick "The Creep" Cheney is looking worse by the day. The Republican prankster is near death, and it's about time the crooked Sumbitch faced the music... - Patrick Alcatraz

Waiting For Rain...

A trio of nattily-attired Harlingen Republicans shoot the breeze as they await a decision on the messy county judge contest... - Eliot Elcomedor

Tribune Lounge...

He Should Be In Prison...

The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday joined a growing chorus in the human rights community calling for a special prosecutor to investigate whether former president George W. Bush violated federal statutes prohibiting torture... - Ricardo Klement

Texans Eating Well, Free...

War Is Hell...

Today, Nov. 11th, we honor those who served and came home... - Patrick Alcatraz

A Little Holiday Cheer...

Lately, we've been remiss in adding a little visual spice to this site. We trust it will not offend any of our readers... - Patrick Alcatraz, Editor

Photo of a Pathetic Clown...

George W. Bush aboard Air Force One as he looks down on hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. The Insipid Republican calls it his worst photo-op... - Patrick Alcatraz

Turn Out The Lights...

Still reeling, the dog-ass Dallas Cowboys fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars yesterday, 35-17, in National Football League action. Cowboys see season ride into the sunset... - Doyle May

Idiots of South Texas Politics...

Note to Texas GOP Republican House candidate Blake Farenthold: Don't show up to a fundraising party in your duck jammies. There's a good chance no one will take you seriously, especially if you're standing next to someone in their underwear. He's challenging incumbent Democrat Solomon P. Ortiz... - Ricardo Klement

Food Stamps & You...

With more than 1 in 8 Americans now on food stamps, participation in the program has jumped about 70 percent from 26 million in May 2007. In the Rio Grande Valley, it is 5 out of 8, some recipients not even Americans. I'm a "Feed The World" guy, so I'm okay with that... - Patrick Alcatraz

The Boys In The Mine...

As of this morning, all of the 33 miners trapped in a Chilean mine for more than 60 days have been rescued via a nifty capsule that is brought them up one at a time... - Jacobo Zabludovsky

The Marijuana Season...

To date this Fall, at least nine high school football players have been busted by cops in Harlingen, Los Fresnos & San Benito. Two more and the Valley can field its first All-Marijuana Team... - Ricardo Klement

POLL: New York Mosque...

Just four percent of Republican respondents said they support building a mosque two blocks from Ground Zero, whereas 21 percent said they would be fine with a strip club. Forty-nine percent of Democrats said they supported the mosque and 33 for the strip club. Among Independents, it was 34 percent for the mosque and 28 percent for the strip club...- News Wires

Republican Adultery...

House Minority Leader John Boehner was asked this week about a sexual affair with a lobbyist, an allegation that will reportedly be the focus of an upcoming New York Times expose... - Speedy Ayala, Freelancer

Take Your Pick...

We have been criticized for only posting photos of pretty women. Here are the three recognized body shapes for women: Thin, average and full-bodied... - Ricardo Klement

George W. Bush Staged Sept. 11 Attack on World Trade Center...

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday said some in the world have speculated that Americans were actually behind the Sept. 11 terror attacks on New York, staged in an attempt to assure Israel's survival... - Vince Valdez

U.S. Constitution Does Not Bar Sex Discrimination...

"If the current society wants to outlaw discrimination by sex," Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia told an audience at the University of California's Hastings College of the Law, "...you have legislatures..." - Vince Valdez

Sarah Goes Mum...

Could it be? Is it possible that Alaska fruitcake Sarah Palin has finally shut up? She's been quiet lately... - Junior Bonner

FLASH!...

We have unconfirmed reports that there has been a shooting at the early-morning wedding of former Tribune Editor Patrick Alcatraz and Elaine Benitez. A spokeswoman for a Panama law enforcement agency tells us Tribune staff writer Ron Mexico, Jr. has been taken into custody. UPDATE: Police now say Elaine Benitez has died of multiple gunshot wounds. Patrick Alcatraz was not hurt... - Eliot Elcomedor, Editor

Freedom Wins...

A federal judge overturned Nebraska's ban on flag mutilation Thursday, clearing the way for Kansas church protesters to continue trampling on the U.S. flag when they protest at military funerals... - Juan Jones

Dear Father, We Dream...We Dream...

A woman in Surf City, North Carolina watches the waves being whipped-up by Hurricane Earl, which has the potential to ruin countless Labor Day weekend travel plans as it dances up the eastern seaboard... - Rannah O'Donnell

God, Or No God?...

British physicist and mathematician Stephen Hawking says no, arguing in his new book - "The Grand Design" - that there need not be a God behind the creation of the universe. What brings us here? Spontaneous evolution, he says... - Rannah O'Donnell

Love On The Rocks...

A Bakersfield, California doctor involved in an "on-again, off-again" relationship apparently tried to force her way into her boyfriend's home by sliding down the chimney, police said Tuesday. Jacquelyn Kotarac's decomposing body was found there three days later. She was 49... - Ricardo Klement

Republican Justice...

Caroline Giuliani, daughter of Rudy, will have her charges for shoplifting $150 in cosmetics from a NYC store dismissed in exchange for one day of community service... - Juan Jones

The Endorsers...

Two Nobodies backed a Nobody for Cameron County Judge this past week. It seems they may be Somebodies in the bordertown of Brownsville, Texas. It's off-the-rack Mervyn's clothing, however... - Ricardo Klement

Horror in Mexico!...

The cadavers of 58 men and 14 women were found at a remote spot near the Gulf coast south of the border city of Matamoros. It appears to be the largest drug-cartel body dumping ground found in Mexico since President Felipe Calderon launched an offensive against drug trafficking in late 2006... - Juan Jones

Just Say No to Olmos...

The Brownsville Independent School District's board of trustees has voted to reject a request for $150,000 for filming of a documentary about its world-beater chess program. Gravel-voiced Hollywood character actor Edward James Olmos and some associates had asked for the cash to help finance the project... - Rey Buckingham

Flying The Flag...

Two men ran onto NY's Citi Field waving Mexican flags during the seventh inning of the Mets game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. - NY Daily News

Juan N. Cortina...

After a brief stint in Mexican politics, Cortina was imprisoned by dictator Porfirio Díaz from 1876 to 1890. He died in 1892. - Rey Buckingham

Tacos in New York...

Brooklyn now has a full-size, totally legit taco truck named El Diablo - it boasts a sign that reads “air-conditioned by Satan” - parked for hungry beer drinkers. There are tamales, tortas, roasted corn, chips with guacamole or cheese sauce, and tacos: chicken, pork, beef and vegetarian are $3, fish and shrimp are $4. - Patrick Alcatraz

Fabled Hotel Bombed...

Authorities believe a Molotov cocktail tossed through a window at Brownsville's Hotel Economico is what started a fire at the downtown hotel two weeks ago. - Laura Martinez

Border Art...

Macho Men Have Defined Their Portrait of Women in Black & Blue. - Ron Mexico

Gigolo of The Pampas...

Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina went to Florida last weekend to rekindle things with his Argentine lover. But it cost $1,200 in security for his romantic trip. - Gawker

Whites Keep Rioting...

Anti-Immigrant Law Passes. Arizonans will now shift their total attention to guessing which Latino-looking or foreign-looking person may or may not have proper documents.

Dennis Hopper Gone...

Hollywood Hellraiser Dead at 74, of Prostate Cancer. - Peter Fonda

Gotham City Gets Football's Big Game...

National Football League owners, lured by playing the sport’s biggest game on the largest stage, awarded the 2014 Super Bowl to New York on Tuesday afternoon, making the New Meadowlands Stadium the host of what will be the first cold-weather Super Bowl. - NY Times

Beaten By Cops...

Carla Westbrook-Spaniel, 44, principal of a Fort Worth middle school, was arrested over the weekend, accused of abandoning her children at a Dallas hotel to go to a nightclub. Her husband is serving in Afghanistan. - AP

The Murdering Mayor...

Jayne Peters, the 55-year-old Mayor of Coppell, Texas shown at left shot & killed her 19-year-old daughter Corrinne last night at their Dallas-suburb home before killing herself. Cops said they found notes, but no clearcut motive. - Ron Mexico

Dining In The City...

At Nello's on New York's Upper East Side, water is $12; the glass of wine, $17; the martini, $22.

Rome Blesses Beatles...

Forty years after John Lennon said the Beatles were "more popular than Jesus," the Catholic Church has officially forgiven the group for its sins. Last week, L'Osservatore Romano, the Vatican's official newspaper, called their music "beautiful" and referred to the band as "a precious jewel."

Noriega Flown to Paris...

The U.S. extradited former Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega to France on Monday, clearing the way for him to stand trial there on money laundering charges. - AP

GOP Goes After Black...

Mitt Romney, the frontrunner for the 2008 GOP Presidential candidacy, has added his voice to those gently pointing out, in the wake of about 24 minor scandals, that party Chairman Michael Steele is an awkward blend of clown and muppet.

Tea Party Blowhard...

The volatile race for New York governor got a new jolt of drama this week with the candidacy of Carl Paladino, the Tea Party favorite known for his big mouth.

DAY OF HORROR...

15 Killed in Tamaulipas

Cops Grab Mayor...

Earlier today, Brownsville Mayor Pat M. Ahumada was arrested by city police on one count of driving while intoxicated. - Brownsville Herald

"Saturday Night Fever" Club Gone...

In 1987, 2001 Odyssey became the gay nightclub Spectrum 2000, where it enjoyed an 18-year run before the Brooklyn building was demolished in 2005. - Doyle May

Steelers QB Sacked...

Ben Roethlisberger wasn't charged after a Georgia college student said he sexually assaulted her, but the NFL has suspended him for six games. - ESPN

Tribune Philosopher

"I don't think when I make love..." - Brigitte Bardot

The Fiction Shelf...

A Study In Border Culture

Herald-Tribune Library...

Wheelhouse Romance Out West

Visitors: Foreign & Domestic...

Letters To The Editor...

Use "Comments" Feature

Our Mission Statement...

Every town deserves truth, justice and fairness. Cities and villages along the wild Texas-Mexico border are no different. They, too, want peace and prosperity. There are times, however, when the citizenry and the town leaders blow it. That's where we come in... - Editor

Valley Journal...

I'm always amused by what I see in the Rio Grande Valley. Business here, as most of you know, can be anydamnedthing under the sun. Spotted this Ayem on N. 10th Street: A car carrying a nice, creative name for one man's idea of a money-making venture, this man's being banners, posters, billboards, etc., etc. Name of biz: The Signtist. Priceless, I thought, smiling... - Editor

Tragedy in New York...

DNA tests show bones found in Pennsylvania are those of Laura Garza, a 25-year-old McAlllen, Texas transplant who was last seen at the Marquee nightclub Dec. 3, 2008, authorities said. Found nearby was the wristwatch she is believed to have been wearing. - AP

The New Americans...

Nearly half of foreign-born workers in America's largest metro areas work in white-collar jobs, including management, sales or administration, according to a new report from the Fiscal Policy Institute. - NY Times

MURDER CITY...

Once Happy Cd. Juarez Endures Its New Reputation. - AP

About DP-M's New Novel...

The Scorpion's Son is scheduled for release on May 15th. It will be available at all bookstores. Ask for it by title or by its catalogue number: ISBN: 978-1-4489-4940-3. The book is a tale of romance & reflection, set in a mythical Texas-Mexico bordertown. Book-signings in McAllen, Harlingen, Brownsville, Dallas and Santa Fe are in the works. Additional information about that will be posted here... - Editor